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Mr. Rumsfeld, and the Defence Minister of Germany, Mr. Struck. We have covered an extensive bunch of
questions which are of mutual, reciprocal interest.
A meaningful exchange of opinions has been logically continued for three to four hours within the
framework of the NATO-Russia Council at 20... Comprising the 20 Defence Ministers. The discussions were
held rather constructively and in my eyes, has graphically showed how pressing and important today
partnerships are in NATO-Russia co-operation.
The outcomes of our joint work with my colleagues from the alliance countries once again convinced that
we not only can but also have to, as simple as that, search for other ways to enhance our co-operation. Exactly
the understanding of this premise allows us to gradually fill the spheres of our co-operation with deliverables, a
smother transfer of them from the vein of theoretically discussions into a field of concrete hands-on affairs.
I can just cite one example for that. This year in this current year 2003, the plan of joint NATO-Russia
activities in terms of the number thereof is double as much as that on previous year. A certain positive shift has
also been brought about in the field of co-operation for the creation of the ABM system, as we call it theatre
missile defences...missile defences for the theatre of operations within the NATO-Russia Council framework.
There have been operative, joint working groups, its mandate is now endorsed, the program for co-operation
until the year 2005 and their principal... The guidelines for this co-operation are also being discussed not only
within NATO-Russia Council, but also bilaterally with the U.S. And on this issue, quite recently during our
presidential visit to Camp David, there has been a very substantive discussion as well. Today, at their session, at
the meeting with Mr. Rumsfeld, we also started immediate practical pragmatic work flowing out from the
instructions and agreements which were given to us by the President, by the Chief executives at Camp David.
It's not by chance probably in this context that the American side has invited me... To go to a very
important city and as the military put it, military facility which represents the NORAD control installation. At
the same time, it shows us how such functions, such installations function in the United States of America. I'm
very much grateful for that to Mr. Rumsfeld.
As you understand, I also saw previously the likes of those facilities in the main upon Russian territory,
and as a result of a frank encounter...exchange of experiences and discussions we came to a very simple
conclusion which is jokingly it sounds like that, that smart people think the same.
I would like missile that the foundation for the elaboration of the priorities of our co-operation should be
a realistic understanding of the particularities of the present day geopolitical situation out in the wider world.
Proceeding from this premise, Russia is reforming currently its armed forces and the military organization as a
whole, taken into account a new level of political relationship that we have in place with the North Atlantic
Alliance and we are currently revisiting quite a number of their premises which have been in place for decades
and which had constituted the foundations, the pillars for the Soviet and for the on Russian military plan and I'm
thinking with a view in the first place of adapting our new military policies to the challenges and emerging
threats.
I, in the course of my meetings extensively and in detail explained to my NATO partners the major
principles and the objectives as pursued by the armed forces, including those which last week were endorsed in
Moscow by the President of Russia during the Defence Minister session.
I must say that the partners took a very attentive close attitude to these and with an understanding to those
problems. In fact today, both NATO states and Russia in the military thinking and planning in the upgrade and
effort for the armed forces are encountering absolutely identical similar problems.
I can just cite one example for you. Probably you have heard that yesterday, if we are to deduct the
United States armed forces from the overall armed forces of NATO states this figure would constitute 1.5
million service personnel. Out of this usable troops out of the area of responsibility of NATO only 55,000 soft
service personnel can do that.

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