IMS Press Advisory 23 May 2002

Inauguration of the NATO's Military Liaison Mission (MLM) in Moscow Admiral Guido VENTURONI, Chairman of the Military Committee, NATO's highest military authority, will officially open NATO's Military Liaison Mission in Moscow on Monday, 27 May 2002 at 1445hrs. The opening will also be attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, General Anatoliy Kvashnin and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Belgian Host Embassy, Minister-Counsellor Filip Cumps. The opening of the Mission sees the successful culmination of detailed negotiations and demonstrates the closer relationship between Russia and NATO. The key task of the Mission will be to support the implementation of military co-operation activity as developed in the NATO-Russia Military Representatives and Chiefs of General Staff Work Plan. As part of this it will be directly involved in preparations for visits and other events by NATO in Russia and will also help in the preparation of Russian military visits to NATO HQ and NATO organised events in NATO countries. This will involve assisting in regular contacts, exchanges of information and consultations between NATO HQ and the Russian Ministry of Defence. The Head of the Mission, Major General Peter Williams, United Kingdom Army will be assisted in his functions by a deputy, Colonel Józef Urbanowicz, Polish Army, three staff officers, three non-commissioned officers and two Russian civilian staff. The Russian Ministry of Defence will provide two Russian officers who will work in the Mission alongside their NATO colleagues in order to facilitate liaison with the Russian military. The new Mission is located in close proximity to the NATO Information Office, which has been active since June 2001. Note for the Media: During the Opening Ceremony, only a small pool of press may be admitted to observe because of the limited space. After the inauguration, a press conference will be held in the NATO Information Office: For registration and further details please contact: The NATO Information Office 3, Mytnaya Ulitsa 117049 Moscow tel: +7 095 937 3640/3641 fax: +7 095 937 3809 e-mail: office@nio-moscow.nato.int Public Information Adviser International Military Staff tel +32 2 707 5422/23 fax: +32 2 707 5713 e-mail: dims.deppia@hq.nato.int