Wednesday May 29, 2002

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Russia Partners with Nato

NATO and Russia lifted their once-hostile relations to a new level of partnership today at a landmark summit near Rome.

They immediately used their combined weight to urge India and Pakistan to back off from the threshold of war. 

Leaders of the erstwhile Cold War adversaries, including US President George W Bush and Russian head of state Vladimir Putin, put their names to a joint declaration setting up a NATO-Russia Council where Moscow and the 19 transatlantic allies can tackle key security issues as equals – notably terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and military cooperation.

“Our agreement today is a tribute to victims of terrorism throughout the world,” NATO Secretary General George Robertson told a joint press conference alongside Putin and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the summit organiser.

“It’s also a stark message fron NATO and from Russia to all terrorists and their supporters that their criminal violence has brought East and West together and has made us stronger,” he said. 

But the dominant area of concern during the 20 leaders’ working lunch was the real danger of India and Pakistan – both armed with nuclear weapons – reigniting a war over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

“The presidents and primes ministers strongly urge both sides to de-escalate and to resume talking together so that their problems can be resolved peacefully,” Robertson said.

“The 20 leaders will continue to work for this outcome,” he said, recalling that Putin would have the “goodwill” of the NATO allies when he saw the leaders of India and Pakistan in the Kazakh capital Almaty next week.

Today’s summit, organised in just three weeks and staged under intense security at Italy’s biggest air force base, an hour’s drive from Rome, was billed as the ultimate end to the Cold War that ended with the collapse of Communism in eastern Europe after 1989.

It was a major foreign policy success for Putin, who since taking power last year has been building bridges with the United States and western Europe to rebuild Russia as a global power.

It also reflected US appreciation for Russia’s support in the fight against global terrorism in the wake of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

“This partnership takes us closer to an even larger goal – a Europe that is whole, free and at peace,” said Bush, who left the summit immediately after lunch for an audience with Pope John Paul II. (The Age) 

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2024 Reflection on the 75th anniversary of NATO

Reflecting on the milestone of NATO’s 75th anniversary and the historical context of international diplomacy, one cannot overlook the pivotal establishment of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) in 2002. This significant event occurred at a summit meeting near Rome, Italy, where leaders from NATO member states and Russia came together to forge a new chapter in post-Cold War relations.

The establishment of the NATO-Russia Council marked a transformative moment, symbolizing efforts to transcend old hostilities and build bridges of cooperation between former adversaries. Key objectives of the NRC included promoting transparency, enhancing mutual understanding, and fostering practical cooperation on a range of security challenges facing the Euro-Atlantic community.

At the time of its inception, leaders like US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin saw the NRC as an opportunity to address common security threats, including terrorism, weapons proliferation, and regional conflicts. The joint declaration signed at the summit underscored the commitment of NATO and Russia to work together as equals, acknowledging the evolving dynamics of global security in the post-Cold War era.

However, the trajectory of NATO-Russia relations has been characterized by fluctuations, influenced by geopolitical events and shifting priorities on both sides. Tensions emerged over issues such as NATO enlargement, missile defense, and Russia’s actions in neighboring regions like Georgia and Ukraine. These challenges underscored the complexities of managing a partnership between NATO and Russia amidst divergent interests and strategic objectives.

Against the backdrop of NATO’s 75th anniversary and the contemporary global landscape, the evolution of the NATO-Russia Council serves as a microcosm of broader trends in international diplomacy. The NRC reflects the aspirations and challenges of building cooperative security frameworks in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

As Canada grapples with its military legacy and role within the NATO alliance, the lessons from the NATO-Russia Council highlight the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and pragmatic engagement in addressing common security concerns. The NRC’s legacy underscores the enduring need for sustained efforts to build trust, manage differences, and pursue shared interests, even in times of uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

Ultimately, as we reflect on the past and look towards the future, the NATO-Russia Council offers valuable insights into the possibilities and limitations of international partnerships. It reminds us of the imperative to embrace diplomacy and collaboration as essential tools for promoting peace, security, and stability in an ever-changing world. (Graeme MacKay, April 2024)