Canada to Attend Signing of NATO-Russia Relations Agreement

Prime Minister Chrétien has asked Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Ronald Irwin to represent Canada at the signing of the NATO-Russia Relations Agreement, to take place at the NATO-Russia Summit on May 27, 1997 in Paris. Representatives of Russia and the 15 other NATO nations will also be present.

The document, to be called the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security Between NATO and the Russian Federation, creates a NATO-Russia Joint Council and commits the partners to consultation, cooperation and, when appropriate, joint action on areas of mutual concern. These cover a wide range of issues, such as peacekeeping, preventative diplomacy and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

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