NATO will respond to Russia's actions with readiness plan - NAC statement
BRUSSELS. Dec 2 (Interfax) - NATO sees its plan of measures to increase its readiness in response to the "challenges" created by Russia, according to a statement released after a North Atlantic Council (NAC) meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.
The re-activated action plan approved by the heads of state and government at the summit in Wales is a response to the security situation on a broader scale in and around Europe. It responds to the challenges thrown by Russia and to its strategic consequences, the NATO foreign ministers said in the statement.
The ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of the plan of measures to increase the readiness at such a political level for the first time since the Wales summit, the document said.
This plan also addresses the risks and threats emanating from NATO's southern neighbors - the Middle East and North Africa, the ministers said. "Its implementation will significantly enhance NATO's readiness and responsiveness and will contribute to ensuring that NATO forces remain ready and able to respond swiftly and firmly to current and future challenges to the Alliance," the statement said.
The NATO foreign ministers believe that the implementation of the plant will boost the alliance's collective defensive capabilities and its capability to manage crises. In their view, implementation of the plan is "well underway."