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NATO Members OK Pact With Russia

Associated Press

The 16 countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Friday unanimously approved the alliance’s new accord with Russia, clearing the way for a formal signing at a May 27 summit in Paris.

The agreement, concluded Wednesday after months of negotiations between NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana and Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny M. Primakov, creates a permanent Russia-NATO advisory council. It also sets out the framework for future relations as NATO begins expanding eastward.

In July, NATO is expected to invite at least three members of the former Soviet bloc to join: Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

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The 16-page document is aimed at drawing Moscow into the overall European defense picture and easing fears that NATO enlargement is a threat to Russia’s security.

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