At the beginning of the meeting, President Vladimir Putin noted that 2007 marks ten years since the signing of the basic agreement between Russia and NATO and five years since the signing of the Rome Agreement, which founded the Russia–NATO Council. Over this period, relations between Russia and NATO have undergone a complete transformation from confrontation to cooperation.
Mr Putin said he hoped that continued dialogue would enable Russia and NATO to find solutions to all problems in the interests of international security and strengthening peace throughout the world.