NEWSLINK: NATO aims to repair Russia ties despite Patriot row

[NATO aims to repair Russia ties despite Patriot row – Reuters – Adrian Croft – Dec. 2, 2012 – http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/02/us-nato-ministers-idUSBRE8B107820121202]

Reuters reports on NATO foreign ministers seeking to improve NATO’s relations with Russia, even as Russia raises concerns over NATO-member Turkey receiving Patriot air defense missiles as a safeguard against attacks from Syria.  NATO-Russian cooperation includes addressing the future of Afghanistan:

NATO foreign ministers, meeting for the first time this week since Russia appointed a new ambassador to the military alliance, are hoping to improve ties with Moscow despite a fresh row over plans to send anti-aircraft missiles to Turkey.

A NATO spokeswoman said the meeting aimed to “re-energize” relations with Russia – whose cooperation is needed both on ending the conflict in Syria and smoothing the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

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Russia appointed a new ambassador to NATO in October after a 10-month gap, raising hopes for an improvement in ties, strained by U.S. and NATO plans to construct a missile shield around Europe as well as last year’s NATO bombing campaign in Libya.

NATO and Russia have, however, have been at odds over how to end the 20-month revolt in Syria. Russia has vetoed U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at increasing pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who meets NATO ministers including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, is expected to raise concerns over plans to deploy Patriot surface-to-air missiles on NATO member Turkey’s border with Syria.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Turkey, as NATO apparently will argue that Patriot deployment would be as a defensive measure, and not part of no-fly zone:

“We will tell them (the Russians) … that this is defensive and not there to establish a no-fly zone,” a senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

The NATO meeting coincides with a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkey, where he is expected to face fresh calls to help bring an end to the war in Syria.

Another issue significant to both NATO and the Russians is that of NATO European missile defense:

Meanwhile, little progress is seen at the Brussels talks on the row between NATO and Russia over Washington’s plans for the missile shield, due to be completed in four phases by roughly 2020, to counter a potential threat from Iran.

Moscow says the system will undermine its nuclear deterrent by making its missiles vulnerable.

The senior NATO official said it was too early to expect any new initiative. “I think you still need to give it a little time … On BMD (ballistic missile defense), we will need a new momentum,” he said.

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