Press Statement 15 March 2000

Press Statement
Meeting of the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council at Ambassadorial level

The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council at Ambassadorial level met on Wednesday 15 March 2000, at NATO Headquarters.

Following a briefing on the meeting of Military Representatives under the auspices of the PJC held on 24 February 2000, Ambassadors discussed the situation in the former Yugoslavia and exchanged views on NATO-Russia cooperation in the international security presence in Kosovo (KFOR). They stressed their determination to meet in full the aims of the international community as set out in UNSCR 1244. They reiterated the determination by NATO and Russia to cooperate closely in all areas
including the protection of Kosovo's minorities. They underlined that the international community will not tolerate provocation and other attempts to undermine the peace process. They called upon the international community to provide additional civil police personnel to UNMIK as soon as possible.

Implementing the agreement to work to intensify the mutual dialogue and cooperation, reached on the occasion of the Secretary General's visit to Moscow, Ambassadors discussed questions related to NATO's 1999 Strategic Concept and to Russia's National Security Concept.

In that spirit Ambassadors also exchanged views and information on a wide range of arms control issues, including non-proliferation of WMD, the preparation of the NPT Review Conference scheduled to start on 24 April, CFE, as well as others.

The next meeting of the Permanent Joint Council at Ambassadorial level is scheduled for 12 April 2000.