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Communication lines between Russia and NATO remain open 24/7 - source

BRUSSELS, May 3. /TASS/. Lines of military contacts between Russia and NATO remain open 24/7, a source in the NATO headquarters in Brussels told journalists on Sunday.

"NATO and Russian military maintain communications lines, and Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, as well as Chairman of NATO Military Committee, can contact their Russian colleagues. Communications lines stay open and available 24 hours per day seven days per week. They are regularly checked," the source said.

At a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in December 2014 in Brussels a decision was taken to maintain contacts at the level of highest military officials of Russia and NATO, he noted. The ministers agreed that NATO’s military commanders should keep communications channels with Russia open and use them when necessary to avoid misunderstanding connected with military activity, the source stressed.

Russia and several NATO countries also have bilateral communications channels, the source said.

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