Reid welcomes greater cooperation with Russia
Defence secretary John Reid today welcomed talks with his Russian counterpart during informal Nato discussions in Berlin.
Among the issues discussed between Mr Reid and Sergei Ivanov were the recent efforts by the Royal Navy to help rescue a trapped Russian submarine.
In addition, Mr Reid said Russian officials would for the first time be taking part in a nuclear accident response exercise in Scotland later today.
“Such events serve to enhance the practical cooperation and common understanding that is developing between Nato and Russia,” he said.
Agreement has also been reached to work together in addressing the threats posed by trafficking in Afghan narcotics.
“We need to help the Afghans create the conditions in which they can eliminate the opium industry, an industry that is as destructive to their own society as it is to our own,” Mr Reid added.
