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NATO-Russia relations

Evolution of NATO-Russia Relations

NATO-Russia relations formally began in 1991, when Russia joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997), a forum created to foster transparency and dialogue with the countries after the end of the Cold War. Russia joined the Partnership for Peace in 1994, paving the way for more practical cooperation and, in 1996, Russia deployed a major contingent to the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security provided the formal basis for NATO-Russia relations and led to the development of a bilateral programme of consultation and cooperation under the Permanent Joint Council (PJC). However, lingering Cold War prejudices prevented the PJC from achieving its potential. Differences over the Kosovo air campaign also impacted on relations. However, Russia played a notable diplomatic role in resolving the Kosovo crisis and deployed peacekeepers to support the Kosovo Force in June 1999. From 1999, NATO-Russia relations began to improve significantly.

In 2002, the relationship was given new impetus and substance with the establishment of the NATO-Russia Council. The decision to establish the NRC was taken in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks, which reinforced the need for coordinated action to respond to common threats. It demonstrated the shared resolve of NATO member states and Russia to work more closely together towards the common goal of building a lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic Area -- a goal which was first expressed in the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act.

1991 Formal relations between NATO and Russia begin when Russia joins the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council), which was created as a forum for consultation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe following the end of the Cold War; the Soviet Union actually dissolved during the inaugural meeting of this body
1994 Russia joins the Partnership for Peace (PfP).
1996 Russian soldiers deploy as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  Memorandum of understanding on civil emergency cooperation is signed.
1997 At a summit in Paris, Russian and Allied leaders sign the NATO-Russia Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security and establish the Permanent Joint Council (PJC)
1998 Russia establishes a diplomatic mission to NATO.
  Memorandum of understanding on scientific and technological cooperation is signed.
1999 Russia suspends participation in the PJC for a few months because of NATO’s Kosovo air campaign.
  Russian peacekeepers deploy as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo.
2000 Vladimir Putin becomes President of Russia and says he will work to rebuild relations with NATO in a “spirit of pragmatism".
  Broader cooperation in the PJC resumes, following a meeting of NATO and Russian foreign ministers in Florence.
  The nuclear submarine Kursk sinks, highlighting the need for cooperation between NATO and Russia.
2001 The NATO Information Office opens in Moscow.
  President Putin is the first world leader to call the US President after the September 11 terrorist attacks. The attacks underscore the need for concerted international action to address terrorism and other new security threats. Russia opens its airspace to the international coalition’s campaign in Afghanistan and shares relevant intelligence.
2002 First high-level conference on the role of the military in combating terrorism is held in Rome.
  NATO opens a Military Liaison Mission in Moscow.
  At a summit in Rome, Russian and Allied leaders sign a declaration on “NATO-Russia Relations: A New Quality” and establish the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) to replace the PJC.
  A joint NATO-Russia Resettlement Centre opens to help discharged Russian military personnel return to civilian life.
  Russia hosts a multinational disaster-response exercise in Noginsk.
  Second high-level conference on the role of the military in combating terrorism is held in Moscow
2003 NATO and Russia sign an agreement on submarine-crew rescue.
  An NRC meeting is held in Moscow for the first time.
  Russian troops withdraw from the NATO-led peacekeeping forces in the Balkans.
2004 The NATO Secretary General tries out a new hotline to the Russian defence minister
  The first NRC theatre missile defence command post exercise takes place in Colorado Springs, United States.
  Agreements establish Russian military liaison offices to NATO’s strategic command headquarters
  Russia hosts a multinational disaster-response exercise in Kaliningrad.
  At an NRC meeting of foreign ministers in Istanbul, Russia offers to contribute a ship to NATO’s maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean.
  Observers from NRC countries are invited to observe a Russian nuclear-weapons-accident-response field exercise near Murmansk.
  The first NATO interoperability courses are held in Moscow military academies.
  In the wake of several terrorist attacks in Russia, NRC foreign ministers approve a comprehensive NRC Action Plan on Terrorism.
  NATO and Russia exchange letters, agreeing procedures to prepare the way for Russia’s support for Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean.
  NRC foreign ministers issue a common statement concerning the conduct of the Ukrainian presidential elections.
2005 The second NRC theatre missile defence command post exercise takes place in the Netherlands.
  Russia signs the PfP Status of Forces Agreement.
  NRC defence ministers endorse a “Political-Military Guidance” aimed at developing, over time, interoperability between Russian and Allied forces at the strategic, operational and tactical command levels.
  Russia takes part in a major NATO search-and-rescue-at sea exercise, Sorbet Royal.
  A UK team helps rescue Russian sailors trapped in a submarine off the Kamchatka shore.
  Observers from NRC countries are invited to observe a UK nuclear-weapons-response field exercise in Edinburgh.
  Russian teachers and instructors from the General Staff Academy give the first interoperability courses at the NATO School in Oberammergau.
  The NRC launches a pilot project on counter-narcotics training for Afghan and Central Asian personnel.
2006 NRC foreign ministers meeting in Sofia agree a set of priorities and recommendations to guide the NRC’s future work.
  Observers from NRC countries are invited to observe a US nuclear-weapons-response field exercise in Wyoming.
  The third NRC theatre missile defence command post exercise takes place in Moscow.
  An NRC civil emergency exercise takes place in Montelibretti, Italy.
  The first Russian frigate deploys to the Mediterranean to support Operation Active Endeavour.
2007 Observers from NRC countries are invited to observe a French nuclear-weapons-response field exercise.
  Russian parliament ratifies the PfP Status of Forces Agreement
  10th anniversary of the Founding Act and 5th anniversary of the NRC
  A second Russian frigate deploys in active support of Operation Active Endeavour.
2008 A computer-assisted exercise takes place in Germany under the NRC theatre missile defence project.
  NATO and Russia sign agreement allowing the land-transit across Russian territory of non-military equipment destined for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.