Maria Tobacco. The Council Russia - NATO is obliged to urgently discuss the possibility of adoption of the Memorandum of understanding between NATO and its partners and the Russian Federation to ensure mutual security, according to a report named " to prevent war: how to reduce the risks of military incidents between Russia and NATO?"

a statement released on Wednesday a report prepared by the ad hoc working group of the project " the construction of a greater Europe: the necessary measures by 2030 ". Established in 2013, a working group (Task Force on Cooperation in Greater Europe) composed of experts from the influential British research centre "European Commonwealth leaders for multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation" (European Leadership Network), the Russian Council on international Affairs, the Polish Institute of international relations and the international strategic studies (USAK) in Ankara.



The authors of the report note a marked deterioration of relations between Russia and Western countries over the past year and a half in connection With the situation in Ukraine.

"This has exacerbated long-standing concerns and disagreements on other issues such as missile defense, NATO expansion, the deployment modes of conventional military power in the European Union and non-strategic nuclear weapons. Economic relations between Russia and other European countries are beginning to crumble due to the imposition of penalties. The majority of experts, both in Russia and in the West, is already openly talking about the possibility of a new cold war, " the report said.

"One of the features of the current situation was the growth in the number of incidents with the participation of the military power of NATO and Russia and between Russian troops and armed forces of Sweden and Finland. Their nature and the causes remain contentious, however, is the fact of increased military power and territorial cohesion is unlikely to argue ", - pay attention to the Authors of the report.

Since March 2014, the European Leadership Network averaged 66 such incidents, 3 of which are classified as " extremely risky ".

This situation, in the opinion of the authors of the report, is fraught Not only the direct effects of incidents, but also a deepening confrontation of the parties, in which capacity It could even lead to war.

Two weeks ago, the European Leadership Network issued a report " Preparing For the worst: reinforce whether the military doctrines of NATO and Russia the possibility of war in the European Union?" After analyzing how held large-scale exercises of Russia with the participation of 80 thousand people and NATO with the participation of fifteen thousand in March and June 2015 respectively, the center's specialists came To the conclusion that Russia and the Alliance are preparing For a confrontation With each other.



"We think it urgent convening of the Council Russia-NATO to discuss the prospects for the signing of a Memorandum of understanding between NATO and the Russian Federation on the rules of conduct, providing security cooperation in air and sea space. A similar agreement was signed between the U.S. and China by the end of 2014 to maintain compliance with existing international laws and norms, increase operational safety at sea and in the air, building mutual trust, and developing a new model of relations between the defense ministries of both sides, " say the report Authors.

in Their vision, the dialogue on a multilateral agreement between Russia and NATO have the opportunity to proceed in parallel With the negotiations on similar agreements between the Russian Federation and member countries of NATO or Their partners.

"This agreement is required to prevent incidents and possible miscalculations which have the ability to lead To tensions, and in the worst case - To the confrontation. In addition, the early stages of negotiations, it would be useful to bring to the discussion of the draft Treaty Sweden and Finland, as these countries also are at risk of escalation of military activity in the Baltic sea region ", - experts say.

The authors of the report remind us that the American-Chinese Treaty sets out the principles and procedures of cooperation that must be followed when the contacts of naval and military aircraft. Such principles include the obligation of the parties to inform each other about the danger in the case of the exercises or shooting close to a possible location of the vessels of the other party. Also, the parties shall notify each other about planned exercises. In addition, the contract specifies actions to avoid, and among them simulate attacks through bringing weapons to counter naval or military aircraft.

"the agreement specified radio frequencies used for communications, and Also contains a Glossary of signals that should be applied in case of difficulty in verbal communication between commanders or masters of ships. The individual situation of each party is ordered to hold an annual meeting Under the direction of the commissioners of the Supreme command staff to analyze all events associated With the implementation of the Treaty in the past year " - reminiscent of the Authors of the report.

Under the document signed, and among them, former Minister of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Ivanov, his Polish colleagues, former foreign Minister of Poland Adam Rotfeld, former British defense Secretary des Browne, former Minister of foreign Affairs and the Minister of defence of the United Kingdom Malcolm Rifkind and former Ministers of other countries, experts and former ambassadors.

sections: Politics