Nato, Russia agree on transit for Afghanistan

Nato, Russia agree on transit for Afghanistan

By Thomas Escritt in Bucharest

Published: April 4 2008 10:47 | Last updated: April 4 2008 10:47

Nato and Russia have reached an agreement on Friday to allow the transport of equipment by land across Russian territory to supply the Western alliance’s peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.

The supplies that will be permitted by the deal would range from food to non-lethal military equipment, according to a Nato official.

This falls short of the alliance’s hope that Russia would permit the transport of troops and munitions across its territory, but it is a move towards the Russian cooperation that Nato leaders sought in advance of the summit.

The agreement comes as Nato leaders began a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday which both sides hoped would ease relations and set the stage for cooperation with the next Kremlin leader.

In a speech on Monday, US President George W. Bush said: “We’re working toward a new security relationship with Russia whose foundation does not rest on the prospect of mutual annihilation.”

Sergei Ryabkov, head of the Russian foreign ministry department in charge of relations with Nato, said progress had been made at the summit despite the alliance’s “provoking” stance.

“I hope later today in a couple of hours we will witness a ceremony of mutual announcements by Nato and Russia on our decision on easing transit procedures for cargos contributing to security in Afghanistan.”

The decision had changed the context of Nato-Russian relations, he said.

Later on Friday Mr Bush will head for weekend talks with Mr Putin at the Black Sea resort of Sochi. US officials said Mr Bush would push efforts to bring the Russians into the European missile defence system, endorsed by Nato on Thursday, which they maintain would increase its effectiveness.