OREANDA-NEWS. December 16, 2009. Developing cooperation between Russia and NATO was the subject of discussion that focused in particular on fighting terrorism and working together to counter common threats. The President said that Russia and NATO are moving to a new level in their relations.

The parties also exchanged their views on a number of current international issues including Afghanistan, the Iranian nuclear programme and Middle East peace settlement, and discussed Russia’s initiative for a new European security treaty based on the principle of indivisible security and mutual respect of interests as cemented in the 2002 Rome Declaration. A draft of the European Security Treaty was sent to NATO at the end of November.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to developing equal and mutually beneficial relations. This was Mr Medvedev’s first meeting with the NATO Secretary General since the conflict in the Caucasus in August 2008.