NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen congratulated Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin Thursday on his return to office and said that he looks forward to continued engagement and constructive dialogue.
In a telephone conversation initiated by Rasmussen, he “emphasized NATO’s commitment, and his own personal commitment, to working with the President-elect to establish a true strategic partnership between NATO and Russia,” the organization said in a press release posted on its website.
Rasmussen noted the successes that NATO-Russia cooperation has produced over the last decade, especially in Afghanistan, counter-narcotics and counter-piracy.
He expressed hope that it would be possible to move forward on cooperation on missile defense, as “such cooperation would benefit both NATO and Russia.”
“President-elect Putin underlined his commitment to good, stable relations with NATO,” the statement said.
“The Secretary General thanked him for his frankness and constructive approach. The Secretary General and President-elect agreed to meet bilaterally in the not too distant future.”