Ukraine crisis tops agenda at two-day NATO Foreign Ministers talks

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 31.03.14
Publication Date 31/03/2014
Content Type

Preview and reports of a NATO Foreign Ministers meeting, Brussels, 1-2 April 2014.

NATO's support to Ukraine and the Alliance's review of its relations with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine crisis topped the agenda. Foreign ministers also discussed NATO’s relations with Georgia, the situation in Afghanistan, the Alliance’s cooperation with its Gulf partners, and the preparations for NATO’s Wales Summit in September 2014.

NATO foreign ministers reaffirmed on the 1 April 2014 their commitment to enhance the Alliance’s collective defence, agreed to further support Ukraine and to suspend NATO’s practical cooperation with Russia.

In addition, NATO Foreign Ministers highlighted the historic success of the Alliance’s Open Door policy by marking three significant anniversaries which have improved security and stability across Europe since the end of the Cold War. In 1999, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland joined NATO. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia became Alliance members in 2004 and five years have passed since the accession of Albania and Croatia in 2009.

NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen said that the Alliance’s door remained open 'to all European democracies which share our values, which can assume the responsibilities of membership and which can contribute to security in the Euro-Atlantic area'.

Russia accused NATO of reverting to the 'verbal jousting' of the Cold War, by suspending cooperation over its annexation of Crimea. A spokesman said that neither the west, nor Russia would 'win'.

Source Link http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_108419.htm
Related Links
NATO: Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, 1-2 April 2014 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/events_108401.htm
ESO: Background information: NATO fears Russian troop build-up along border with Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/nato-fears-russian-troop-build-up-along-border-with-ukraine/
NATO: Topics: NATO’s relations with Ukraine http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_37750.htm
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_38988.htm http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_38988.htm
NATO: NATO and Afghanistan http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/69772.htm
BBC News, 01.04.14: Ukraine crisis: Nato meeting to step up pressure on Russia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26830336
Deutsche Welle, 01.04.14: Kerry takes Middle East time-out for NATO summit http://dw.de/p/1BZRL
The Guardian, 01.04.14: Ukraine: Nato ministers meet to discuss crisis http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/01/nato-ministers-meet-over-ukraine
Spiegel Online International, 31.03.14: NATO's Putin Conundrum: Berlin Considers Its Alliance Options http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/nato-looking-for-appropriate-response-to-putin-a-961692.html
EUObserver, 31.03.14: Germany ready to reinforce Nato-Russia borders http://euobserver.com/foreign/123685
BBC News, 02.04.14: Ukraine crisis: Nato suspends Russia co-operation http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26838894
NATO: Press Release, 01.04.14: NATO takes measures to reinforce collective defence, agrees on support for Ukraine http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_108508.htm
EUObserver, 01.04.14: Nato to keep expanding, suspends Russia ties http://euobserver.com/defence/123713
NATO: Press Release, 01.04.14: NATO Foreign Ministers mark historic accession anniversaries of 1999, 2004, 2009 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_108505.htm
NATO: Press Release, 01.04.14: NATO Foreign Ministers to reaffirm commitment to collective defence http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_108504.htm
EurActiv, 02.04.14: NATO flexes its muscle in response to Crimea crisis http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/nato-flexes-its-muscle-response-crimea-crisis-301302
France24, 02.04.14: Nato suspends co-operation with Russia over Ukraine http://www.france24.com/en/20140402-nato-suspends-co-operation-with-russia-over-ukraine/
Euronews, 01.04.14: NATO boosts Baltic presence as Rasmussen denies Russian pullout claims http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/01/nato-boosts-baltic-presence-as-rasmussen-denies-russian-pullout-claims/
Deutsche Welle, 01.04.14: NATO freezes cooperation with Russia over Ukraine http://dw.de/p/1BZpG
The New York Times, 01.04.14: NATO to Firm Up Its Presence in Eastern Europe as It Halts Cooperation With Russia http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/world/europe/nato-orders-end-to-practical-and-military-cooperation-with-russia.html
The Guardian, 01.04.14: Nato moves to bolster eastern European defences against Russia http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/01/nato-eastern-europe-defences-russia-putin-crimea
EurActiv, 03.04.14: Russia says suspended NATO ties boosts terrorists http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/russia-says-suspended-nato-ties-boosts-terrorists-301329
BBC News, 03.04.14: Nato's Eastern Europe build-up plans alarm Russia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26866989
Deutsche Welle, 03.04.14: NATO still a distant prospect for Ukraine, Georgia http://dw.de/p/1BaUb
Euronews, 03.04.14: The US and NATO back up words of warning to Russia with extra military muscle http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/03/the-us-and-nato-back-up-words-of-warning-to-russia-with-extra-military-muscle/
The New York Times, 02.04.14: NATO Commander Says He Sees Potent Threat From Russia http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/03/world/europe/nato-general-says-russian-force-poised-to-invade-ukraine.html
BBC News, 02.04.14: Nato boosts Baltic force, but local leaders want more http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26849732
Euro|Topics, 03.04.14: Nato: Russia could invade Ukraine http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER141277-Nato-Russia-could-invade-Ukraine
NATO: Press Release, 03.04.14: Secretary General tells Estonia NATO is firmly committed to collective defence http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_108840.htm

Subject Categories
Countries / Regions