Missile defense remains key problem in Russia-NATO relations - Defense Ministry
MOSCOW. Nov 29 (Interfax-AVN) - Missile defense is the main irritant in the relations between the defense ministries of Russia and NATO member states, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters on Friday.
"Russia-NATO cooperation prospects are huge. We would have made very serious progress in international security if the other side had demonstrated political will," Antonov said.
Missile defense in Europe remains a key problem in Russia-NATO relations, he added.
"This problem is the main irritant not only in the relations with NATO but also in the relations with the United States," the deputy minister said.
The NATO enlargement policy is another problem area in Russia's relations with the alliance, Antonov said. "We are closely watching the alliance's "courting" of Georgia and Ukraine and see it eyeing Moldova," the deputy minister said.
"We cannot feel indifferent about the advances made on our neighbors because they directly concern Russia's national security," he emphasized.
Antonov also mentioned the CFE Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe. "We have said many times that this treaty is obsolete. It was of interest in the past, but it is now unnecessary in the context of the political and military realities we can see on the European continent," Antonov said.