Russia, NATO's efforts to give legal protection for the missile defense system: Rasmussen

NATO Russia as partners rather than rivals, but still allied with the Russian legal protection requirements, the European missile defense system that will not be directed against Russia, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday interview.

"Leads to greater trust is the most promising Lujing more discussion, more political debate and exchange, rather than complex legal formula, it would be difficult to reach consensus, and approved in 29 countries (NATO members and Russia), "Rasmussen said.

Secretary-General once again gave him an oral commitment in Moscow.

"I can assure you - I have said on many occasions publicly - NATO and Russia will never attack us are convinced that Russia believes that the light in the same league," Rasmussen said.

He acknowledged that "the Cold War legacy" is still lingering in the minds of some people, so he pointed out that both sides need "a greater degree of mutual trust and confidence."

Meanwhile, Rasmussen reiterated that the league does not want the joint Russian-NATO missile defense system, but independent of the missile defense system interactions.

Rasmussen said that the reason is very simple, because "NATO can not be outsourced to non-members collective defense obligations, binding its members and NATO missile defense system that the territory will be part of the framework of collective defense."

"NATO's idea, but with two separate systems, share information and provide a clearer picture on both sides, and better warning of possible threats," he said.

Russia has opposed NATO's missile defense facilities deployed near the border, saying they would pose a threat to national security and undermine the strategic balance of forces in Europe.

Russia and NATO agreed to the so-called missile defense system in Europe cooperation in the Russia-NATO Council summit in Lisbon in November 2010. NATO insisted that there should be two separate systems, exchange information, and Russia in favor of full interoperability with joint systems.

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