The Alliance does not have to adhere to the fundamental act of the NATO-Russia, said Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski during the international conference on security in Tallinn.
NATO-Russia Founding Act was signed in Paris in 1997. According to the document, NATO “reiterates that in the current and foreseeable security environment, the Alliance will carry out its collective defence and other missions by ensuring the necessary interoperability, integration, and capability for reinforcement rather than by additional permanent stationing of substantial combat forces”.
“This is a document of political commitment, it is not legally binding to be done. I do not think we need to comply with the terms this document”, quotes the Postimees words of the Foreign Ministry Head.
According to him, since the act was signed, the situation has changed – the promise was given by NATO of those time, but not the organization in its current form after the expansion.
On Friday, May 13, Witold Waszczykowski participated in the opening ceremony of the US anti-missile defense system construction in the Polish Redzikowo. The Minister said that the missile defense complex will increase the Polish level of security and is not directed against Russia, but designed to “defense against attacks from the Middle East region”.
A day earlier, ground fixed part of the American missile defense Aegis Ashore complex has been opened in Deveselu (Romania). Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would be forced to think about coping with threats which arise in respect of the Russia due to the deployment of US missile defense systems in Eastern Europe. The Pentagon took Moscow statements as a “threat” and expressed its concern about statements of the Russian side.
In July, Warsaw will host the NATO summit, where the member states are expected to discuss the possibility of expanding their military presence on the eastern flank.