Speaking at a press conference after the session, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov pointed out that the decision at hand would make it possible for the Russia-NATO Council's bodies to fulfill themselves to a greater extent than before.
"I would like to emphasize that not only are such documents important per se, but that they also serve as kind of a conceptual foundation for the Russia-NATO relationship," the minister said.
Mr Ivanov gave a positive appraisal to the instructions prepared for the purpose both by the Russian armed forces' General Staff and the transatlantic alliance's strategic command. He described those instructions as concise and inclusive, adding that he was certain they would make Russia-NATO partnership more focused and efficient.
Forty to forty-five events are to be held next year to improve the operational compatibility of Russian and NATO military personnel, Mr Ivanov announced. These will include, among others, joint exercises, training sessions for troops control staff, and measures to harmonize communications and information exchange tools.
