NATO does not see the need for a new Russian-backed security architecture, given the multitude of existing agreements and treaties, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters Thursday during a visit to Moscow, DPA reported.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has touted the new proposal over the last few weeks, arguing that it would put relations with NATO on a more stable footing. Russian officials say the current cooperation agreement, signed in Paris in 1997, leaves too many questions open.
The proposal calls for signatories to support one another in case of attack and to refrain from strengthening their own security at the expense of other states.
Nonetheless, Rasmussen said he remains open to analysing ways to improve security cooperation between Russia and the transatlantic NATO defence pact. The Organization for Security and Cooperation is also reviewing the Russian proposals, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen on Thursday repeated that NATO does not view Russia as a threat, but also made clear that NATO is not prepared to compromise on basic questions of security.
Rasmussen also Thursday said that he hopes Russia will support NATO operations in Afghanistan by cooperating on programmes to help train the wartorn countries national police forces. Rasmussen said training could occur on Russian soil.
The visit to Russia is part of NATO's efforts to renew ties to Russia after an 18-month freeze in relations following Russia's war with Georgia in 2008.