Mr Putin said that Russia attached tremendous importance to the development of its relations with NATO, especially since the Rome agreements were signed to establish permanent mechanisms of interaction. He expressed his assurance that the NATO-Russia Council work was sufficiently positive.
Mr Totsky told the President that Russian relations with NATO were far better than ever expected. Indications of progress had appeared in joint work in the military sphere, and both partners were willing to work together even outside the limits of the Rome Declaration.