BRUSSELS, April 03. /ITAR-TASS/. NATO was interested to maintain political contacts, despite the alliance's suspension of practical cooperation, but there was no reason for the Russia-NATO Council to meet in the near future, Russian permanent representative to NATO Alexander Grushko said in Brussels on April 2.
There was much of everything in history of relations between Russia and NATO, he noted. If decisions are taken, they will be based on a well-considered analysis, but not emotions. In any case, there is interest to preserve the channels of communication between such major military and political factors in the Euro-Atlantic space, as Russia and NATO. It would be absolutely unreasonable to go down to the level of relations of the cold war times, Grushko told Russian reporters, commenting on NATO's decisions.
The view is shared by many partners in the Russia-NATO Council. However, the council is unlikely to meet in the near future. There is no subject to convene a meeting to discuss, taking into consideration the NATO-announced decisions, he said.
The diplomat believes cooperation may be adjusted to the new conditions. It is a council for a political dialogue and implementation of projects for practical cooperation. So, if there was no cooperation, decisions would be needed to adjust mechanisms of cooperation, Grushko said.
Grushko noted the alliance would itself lose due to the halt of cooperation in areas of common interests. "If the side does not want to participate in cooperation, there will be no such cooperation. It is of principle for us that we will continue to have the responsibility we voluntarily have taken in the cause of neutralization of new threats and challenges. If NATO is not ready to work with us and evades its responsibility, we will work with the partners on the international arena who share the objectives," the Russian envoy said.