(13 May 1997) Russian/Nat
Russia and Switzerland both share the same concerns about NATO's eastward expansion and say they want to prevent new divisions in Europe over security issues.
It follows Tuesday's talks in Moscow between Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov and his Swiss counterpart Flavio Cotti.
Russia bitterly opposes NATO's eastward expansion and is keen to secure an agreement that would limit the effect of the move.
Swiss Foreign Minister, Flavio Cotti, on his fourth visit to Moscow, met with his Russian counterpart Yevgeny Primakov Tuesday.
The meeting focused on issues of European security ahead of NATO's planned expansion to include eastern countries.
Primakov praised the active role of Switzerland and other neutral nations in tackling European security issues.
At a news conference Primakov said both Russia and Switzerland would like the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (O-S-C-E) to be the primary body dealing with security issues in Europe.
He said Switzerland and Russia have a common goal - to prevent any potential new divisions in Europe.
The talks between Cotti and Primakov also centred on the development of the legal and organisational basis of the O-S-C-E.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Neither Russia nor Switzerland would like the architecture of European security to be based on the expansion of NATO and the conclusion of special relationship accords between NATO and some other countries"
SUPER CAPTION: Yevgeny Primakov, Russian Foreign Minister
Russia says NATO's planned expansion into eastern Europe might create a new division on the continent, reminiscent of the Cold War era.
Moscow wants to draw up a charter with NATO to address Russian security concerns.
Primakov is meeting NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana Tuesday evening to try and agree on a compromise accord - if they succeed Russia's President Yeltsin hopes to sign the new charter in Paris later this month.
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