Interfax: NATO’s refusal to adapt CFE harms conventional arms control – Grushko

BRUSSELS. Dec 2 (Interfax) – The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) cannot be restored the way it used to be; the treaty became totally obsolete, which was declared back in 1996 when a decision on the parameters of its crucial modernization was made, Russian Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko told Interfax in Brussels on Monday.

“An adapted variant was drawn up as a substitute. Yet NATO countries appeared to be unprepared and declined under various pretexts ratification of the CFE Treaty adaptation agreement, which led to even bigger degradation of the regime of control over conventional armaments in Europe and the loss of its [the treaty’s] importance under the changing security circumstances,” the senior diplomat stated.

It is now necessary to make a comprehensive analysis of the development of the military-political situation in Europe and to specify the role of instruments of the regime of control over conventional armaments in the strengthening of military security and stability, Grushko said.

“Hopefully, NATO countries have learned the necessary lessons. The probable new agreement in this field must be consistent with the contemporary realities of the continent and reflect the balance of interests of its sides. It is necessary to be extremely serious about its elaboration and avoid preconditions and counterproductive links between the arms control proper and problems unrelated to it,” the head of the Russian diplomatic mission to NATO emphasized.