NATO-Russia Council

The NRC, established at the NATO-Russia Summit in Rome on 28 May 2002, replaced the Permanent Joint Council (PJC), a forum for consultation and cooperation created by the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security, which remains the formal basis for NATO-Russia relations.

The spirit of meetings has dramatically changed under the NRC, in which Russia and NATO member states meet as equals “at 27” – instead of in the bilateral “NATO+1” format under the PJC.

What are its authority, tasks and responsibilities?

The NRC was established by the 2002 Rome Declaration on “NATO-Russia Relations: a New Quality”, which builds on the goals and principles of the 1997 Founding Act. Its purpose is to serve as the principal structure and venue for advancing the relationship between NATO and Russia. Operating on the principle of consensus, it works on the basis of continuous political dialogue on security issues with a view to the early identification of emerging problems, the determination of common approaches and the conduct of joint operations, as appropriate.

Who participates?

The 26 NATO member states and Russia participate in the NRC. Meetings of the NRC are chaired by NATO's Secretary General and are held at least monthly at the level of ambassadors and military representatives; twice yearly at the level of foreign and defence ministers and chiefs of staff; and occasionally at summit level.

How does it work in practice?

Since its establishment, the NRC has evolved into a productive mechanism for consultation, consensus-building, cooperation, joint decision and joint action. It has created several working groups and committees to develop cooperation on terrorism, proliferation, peacekeeping, theatre missile defence, airspace management, civil emergencies, defence reform, logistics, and scientific cooperation focused on new threats and challenges. Experts have been tasked to take work forward on individual projects in other key areas.

An important innovation under the NRC is the Preparatory Committee, which meets at least twice a month to prepare ambassadorial discussions and to oversee all experts’ activities under the auspices of the NRC.

A stocktaking of the NRC’s activities was undertaken in spring 2006. NRC member countries looked at the progress achieved and challenges identified in the course of implementing the NRC’s agenda. On this basis, Allied and Russian foreign ministers meeting in Sofia in April 2006 agreed a set of priorities and recommendations to guide the NRC’s work in the medium term.

Overarching priorities include reinforcing political dialogue; strengthening cooperation in the areas of interoperability, defence reform, the struggle against terrorism and crisis management; further developing mutual trust, confidence and transparency with regard to NATO and Russian armed forces; identifying areas for result-oriented cooperation on non-proliferation; heightening public awareness of the NRC’s goals, principles and achievements; and seeking adequate resources to support NATO-Russia initiatives.