Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia did not intend to line up to join NATO, but was willing to cooperate with the alliance.
"Russia's potential in the spheres of economy, science and technology, human, military and territory makes it a self- sufficient state that is able to defend itself," said Putin when meeting with the parliament's international committee.
The president said that with the change of world situation, Russia is willing to positively and constructively cooperate not only with all countries, but also with international organizations, especially in the security sphere.
"We are ready to bring our positions closer to those of NATO in many areas," he said, stressing that "Russia's national interests must also be considered."
Commenting on the just-concluded Russian-U.S. summit, Putin said U.S. President George Bush "is very responsive to our ideas on the creation of new mechanisms for making joint decisions and implementing them in the "20" (19 NATO members plus Russia) format. " As to Russian-U.S. relations, Putin said they are now undergoing a qualitative change based on "the increasing level of mutual understanding and confidence."
"I think those who see a tactical rapprochement in our mutual relations caused by the recent events are deeply deluded. What is on the agenda is a program for long-term partnership, and such is our mutual position," he said.
This change, he said, was largely the result of global changes that could not be ignored.
(People's Daily November 23,2001)
