The summit "will totally focus on the Afghanistan problem," Rogozin said in an interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio station. The participation of Russia and its allies in the Afghanistan operation is the main area of the NATO-Russia cooperation, he said. Afghanistan "is a big headache for NATO," Rogozin said. "The railway transit of civil cargo, which also passes through Russia, is still not working, losses among civilians and NATO troops in Afghanistan are growing," Rogozin said. "This is why NATO is ringing the alarm and is waiting for Russia and its allies to assist in the peace process in Afghanistan," he said. Moreover, Russia and NATO need to have a "serious conversation" on the problems of Abkhazia and South Ossetia with participation of high-ranking General Staff officials 

26 February 2009 ã.   Russia hoping to thaw relations with NATO (Reuters)

Russia NATO envoy Dmitry Rogozin said he would hold a one-on-one meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer in Brussels on Thursday to 'synchronize watches' with the Western military organization.

21 February 2009 ã.   Rogozin: Next informal session of Russia-NATO Council could take place on Feb. 25

"Following the first informal session, which took place on January 26, we put forth a proposal to continue such free discussions on key issues of European and international security," said Rogozin, who is attending a conference of political scientists on Europe's future in London. Next Wednesday, the council could address the situation in Afghanistan and issues related to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's European security initiative, the envoy said

13 February 2009 ã.   NATO "needs Moscow's help"

Rogozin told Medvedev that NATO needs Russian help, but did not spell out where he felt it was needed. "I think they have understood that, without Russia, it is impossible to solve any problem whatsoever in the Euro-Atlantic region and in the areas where they are conducting military operations," said Rogozin. Medvedev responded that Russia was interested in "fully fledged, mutually beneficial relations based on equal rights with the North Atlantic alliance"

13 February 2009 ã.   NATO-Russia programs undermined by crisis

The financial crisis has hit a number of nations very hard, and some of them even face bankruptcy, Rogozin noted, adding that these countries were rapidly cutting their military expenses. He explained that "by using this European-Atlantic solidarity, such countries are trying to save on their defense"

11 February 2009 ã.   Relations with Russia to dominate NATO ministerial meeting March 5

“We plan to hold an informal meeting before the ministerial session of the North Atlantic Council scheduled for March 5. The ministers will discuss the details of NATO-Russia relations and I hope this will pave the way to a official meeting of the Russia-NATO Council before the end of March,” Rogozin said. He added that the nearest meeting with the ambassadors of the 26 NATO countries in an informal mode “will focus on the discussion of practical aspects of our cooperation, particularly on Afghanistan

4 February 2009 ã.   'The NATO-Russia Council will convene, if not in February then in March'

"Theoretically, given the pace we would like to give to NATO's relations with Russia, and taking into account the problems the Alliance is experiencing in Afghanistan and in other regions, where getting along without Russia's assistance would be rather problematical, a fully-fledged meeting at an ambassadorial level could take place before the end of February," Rogozin said in an interview with Interfax on Tusday, while commenting on the Council's informal meeting in Brussels on Monday

29 January 2009 ã.   Scheffer: 'The conditions are right for resuming normal business with Russia in the NATO-Russia Council'

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said on Thursday he hoped that the military alliance would normalize its relations with Russia in the near future. "Once the conditions are right for resuming normal business with Russia in the NATO-Russia Council, and I hope we will see that development soon, I see merit in using that particular forum for including Russia in wider cooperation, and also as vital element in building mutual confidence"

26 January 2009 ã.   Russia's envoy to meet with NATO ambassadors in Brussels

Russia's envoy to NATO will hold an informal meeting on Monday with NATO ambassadors in Brussels, the Russian mission at NATO headquarters said. The meeting, which was agreed on December 19 during talks between Dmitry Rogozin and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, could pave the way for the resumption in full-fledged cooperation between Russia and the alliance. "We have achieved the level of political contacts, and their frequency will depend on NATO's readiness to realize the mistakes, made during the tragedy in the Caucasus"

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