NATO and the Russian Federation have been actively cooperating in the fight against drugs in Afghanistan, fight against terrorism, development of battlefield missile defense project; within the framework of the Working Group for defense reform and cooperation functioning within the NRC, the programme for 2008–2012 puts stress on the improved interoperability of the Russian armed forces. Political cooperation in the framework of NRC brings positive results for Russia, particularly due to the possibility of dialogue in the field of security.

Russia’s position is that cooperation is most successful in the field of military exercises, transit agreements, and in security matters in Afghanistan and the Operation Active Endeavour. In June 2007, PfP Status of Forces Agreement (PfP SOFA) was ratified in Russia, which opened new possibilities for cooperation between NATO and the Russian Federation.

The 2004 Agreement between NATO and the RF on Russia’s support for the Operation Active Endeavour (OAE) regulates the scope of Russia’s contribution to the OAE. In accordance with the agreement, the RF allows OAE military vessels to monitor the boarding of suspicious commercial vessels sailing under the Russian flag.

More information available at: http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-russia/index.html

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