NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES NATO-RUSSIARELATIONS AGREEMENT
May 15, 1997 No. 87
CANADA WELCOMES NATO-RUSSIA
RELATIONS AGREEMENT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the successful conclusion
of negotiations between Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov and NATO
Secretary-General Javier Solana on a new framework for NATO-Russia Relations.
"The new NATO-Russia relationship marks an important stage in the evolution of the
post-Cold War European security structure," said Mr. Axworthy. "We stand on the
threshold of a new era of stability and prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic area. The
next steps will be the NATO Summit in July, the creation of a new partnership
arrangement with Ukraine and addressing the concerns of other states such as the
Baltic countries."
The document, to be called the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Co-operation and
Security Between NATO and the Russian Federation, creates a NATO-Russia Joint
Council and commits the partners to consultation, co-operation and, when
appropriate, joint action on areas of mutual concern. These cover a wide range of
issues, such as peacekeeping, preventive diplomacy and preventing the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Founding Act is expected to be signed at a NATO-Russia Summit in Paris on May
27.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
| 
