The foreseen reduction of US and Russian strategic nuclear weapons will  pave the way for progress on conventional and nuclear arms control initiatives that would further enhance security in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond.  At NATO’s recent Lisbon Summit, all Allied leaders expressed their unanimous support for ratification of the START Treaty.  

In Lisbon, NATO agreed to develop a territorial missile defense capability and launched a fundamentally new phase in NATO-Russia relations, including cooperation on missile defense.  NATO nations and Russia agreed that we do not represent a threat to one another, but instead strive towards a strategic partnership. The New START Treaty will create opportunities for even greater cooperation in the future and enhance international security.  

Anders Fogh Rasmussen is Secretary General of NATO.  (photo: NATO)