The NATO chief called on Saturday for a new Euro-Atlantic security architecture, "one security roof," in which Russia should be a full-fledged partner.
"We need a missile defense system that includes not just all countries of NATO but Russia, too," Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at a NATO conference in Brussels. "One security roof that we build together, that we support together, and that we operate together. One security roof that protects us all."
He said one security roof "would be a very strong political symbol that Russia is fully part of the Euro-Atlantic family, sharing the benefits and the costs - not outside, but very much inside."
He stressed that the new architecture should be aimed at countering the growing nuclear threat posed by rogue nations such as Iran.
Rasmussen said Iran "is developing a nuclear program that it claims is for civilian purposes only" and also "has an extensive missile development program."
"Statements from Iranian officials declare the range of their modified Shahab-3 missiles to be 2000 kilometers. That will already put Allied countries such as Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria within reach."
The NATO chief welcomed a new U.S.-Russia arms control accord, saying it provided "a good backdrop" that would enhance global security and encourage cooperation with Russia.
However, Rasmussen urged Russia to start regarding missile defense "as an opportunity rather than a threat."
BRUSSELS, March 27 (RIA Novosti)
