NATO Seeks Russian Aid for Afghanistan

VLADIVOSTOK. December 14. VOSTOK-MEDIA – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) seeks more help from Russia over Afghanistan, a spokesman for NATO James Appathurai stated today.

“We focus to expand the scope of cooperation with Russia on Afghanistan,” stated James Appathurai on the eve of the NATO Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s visit to Moscow, which will take place on December 15-17. According to him, the issue at hand is about the assistance in a recovery of the country, Radio Mayak reports.

NATO has signed an agreement with Russia to use its railways to resupply the alliances forces in Afghanistan. In addition, the joint project on training of anti-drug experts for deployment in Afghanistan and Central Asia countries is underway.

Russias envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin, in his turn, stated that the Russian Federation is looking to make Afghanistan a key priority in NATO-Russia cooperation.

“Russia is interested in NATO’s success in Afghanistan because if the NATO troops leave Afghanistan, the neighboring countries of the Central Asia will be left open to attack of Taliban,” the envoy stressed.

Although Russia rules out the possibility of sending its troops to Afghanistan, the country is ready to collaborate with the Atlantic Alliance on military technical projects and training and equipping the Afghan Army.