BRATISLAVA, May 19, (WEBNOVINY) — NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen used his news conference at the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry to address a statement to Russia regarding a planned missile defense shield. Rasmussen devoted attention to Russia at a news conference following the meeting with Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda in Bratislava on Thursday. According to the NATO chief, relations with Russia are very important. The alliance and Russia agree to differ in some areas, while share concerns over security, such as Afghanistan, fight against terrorism, or weapons of mass destruction, with some of them being able to hit also targets on the territory of NATO members. Rasmussen said they would invite Russia to participate in the defense shield, whereas both the alliance and Russia would form its own systems. They would share data and the system would thus be more efficient. “Our missiles are not aimed against Russia,” Rasmussen again stressed, adding that he does not consider Russia a threat to the alliance, and Russia should not see NATO as danger, either. He added that this is the strongest assurance Russia can ever get. Hopefully, Russia will realize that preserving good relations with NATO and the EU is in its best interest too, and not a new Cold War, he concluded the topic.
The NATO secretary general repeatedly thanked Slovakia for its contribution to the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. He believes that Slovakia will comply with its funding commitment of the defense sector to be able to face security challenges in the future. “Freedom comes at a price”, he said. No one wants to allow the economic crisis to grow into a security crisis, Dzurinda commented, adding that it is important to efficiently manage funds. One of the ways is a concept of intelligent defense, initiated by Rasmussen, which says how to have more security for fewer funds. In order to achieve that, allies should have closer relations, make use of existing capabilities, join resources in buying equipment, focus investments on priority areas, and modernize. Slovakia too is trying to find ways to have a capable army in spite of limited resources. A strategic concept of development of the Armed Forces is to help achieve the goal. Slovakia must be a reliable ally, Dzurinda declared. “We will support all activities leading to fulfilling this ambition”, he added. The foreign affairs minister concluded by saying that he will promote these ambitions in talks about the budget as well as the new strategic concept, and in talks with non-governmental organizations.
SITA