Russia urges NATO to halt expansion

Russia’s ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, has urged the alliance to stop its expansion to the East as Moscow voices deep concerns over outside threats to the country.

“We have strong demands for NATO to stop its expansion to the East, as Russia has seen the alliance’s military infrastructure has been developing in areas adjacent to our western borders,” Xinhua quoted Rogozin as saying on Tuesday.

Under a military strategy ratified by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in February, NATO enlargement and the deployment of missile defense systems are regarded as main external threats to Russia.

He further added that Moscow hopes to reach a compromise with NATO on the issue during the Russia-NATO summit on November 20 in Lisbon, which is expected to unveil a new plan for the 28-country alliance.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance does not consider Russia a foe, but a strategic partner.

“The clear message to the Russian people is that NATO does not see Russia as an enemy, but as a partner of strategic importance. Together we can make the world safer on the basis of trust, confidence and reciprocity,” said Rasmussen, who is scheduled to hold negotiation with Medvedev in Moscow on Wednesday.

“I look forward to my meetings tomorrow in Moscow. Time has come for a fresh start in NATO-Russia relations and I’m pleased President Medvedev accepted my invitation to the NATO Summit in Lisbon,” RIA Novosti quoted NATO chief as saying.

The two leaders are expected to bring to the fore the issues of Euro-Atlantic security, Europe-wide missile defense shield and Russia’s possible cooperation in the project.