SOCHI. Sept 11 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Russia's permanent representative to NATO Konstantin Totsky on Wednesday.
Putin was interested in how relations between Russia and NATO are developing. He noted that Russia attaches great significance to ties with the Alliance, especially after the signing of the Rome declaration on cooperation.
"We know that a lot of time usually passes between the signing of a document and its implementation, but it seems that this time, the process is going quite positively. I had the opportunity to discuss this problem, in particular, with the premier of Italy, the country where the declaration was signed," Putin said.
The president asked Totsky to tell him about his relations with his counterparts in Brussels.
Totsky noted that before his departure for Brussels, he was assured in Moscow that he would have good relations with his partners at NATO. "However, I did not expect that they will be this good. In general, Europe's attention to Russia, especially as regards the development of cooperation in solving world problems and maintaining security, is very high," he said.
Moreover, Totsky said he believes NATO's cooperation with Russia has even surpassed the framework of the Rome Declaration, especially on a number of military issues, including joint anti- aircraft systems.
"In November and December, we will conduct joint peacekeeping exercises, and we also take great interest in the compatibility of Theater Missile Defense systems," he said.
"Importance is also attached to emergency civil planning," Totsky said, adding that the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry enjoys great credibility in the West, which is "interested to learn from its experience."
Russia and NATO are also developing cooperation in the application of scientific and high-technology methods in fighting terrorism. "This sphere involves over 20 ministries and other agencies, but some unsettled financial matters pose problems," Totsky said.
Putin asked Totsky, a career military officer, how it feels to work in a diplomatic post. Totsky replied that he was engaged in some international activities over his 4.5 years as chief of the Russian Federal Border Service.
"Of course, that was not done at this level, but anyway, I already had some experience. What counts most is that I, as the representative of Russia, always enjoy mutual understanding with my colleagues," he said.