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NATO Deputy Secretary General Vershbow: Russia's practice of unannounced exercises, a source of worries
Russia's practice of announced exercises is a source of worries for the North-Atlantic Alliance, NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow told a news conference with Romania's Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu in Bucharest on Monday.
The Romanian diplomacy will be a strong factor as far as setting the agenda of NATO in the future is concerned, said Vershbow.
He added that unity is currently the most valuable asset of NATO's.
After the NATO Summit [in Warsaw], the allied countries have decided to react jointly to Russia's aggressive manifestations, as well as to more complex challenges. The Alliance is more united than ever, added Vershbow.
The deputy secretary general of NATO mentioned that the unannounced military exercises of Russia generate potential misunderstandings in the region.
The practice of Russia conducting unannounced military exercises is a source of worries, he said, adding that Russia is entitled to conduct such exercises. Unfortunately, he said, the OSCE agreement that mentions that announcement of military exercises has loopholes that allow such manifestations. I do not believe the exercises contribute to stability or mutual trust, added Vershbow, mentioning that they generate a potential for misunderstandings, erroneous calculations and there are opinions that we should settle the legislative loopholes.
The NATO official added that Russia has conducted more than 10 such exercises over the past two years, arguing that if Moscow were interested in stability, that would not be the way of getting it.
He added that NATO officials are generally worried by the continuing efforts of the Kremlin-controlled Russian state media to deliberately broadcast misinformation and also falsities to shape the public opinion in the NATO member states.
His statement was made as allegations were aired of nuclear weapons managed by NATO being moved from Turkey to Romania after a failed coup in Ankara.
As a general rule, he said, we neither confirm nor deny information about the sites of nuclear weapons, but we are taking very seriously the safety and security of nuclear weapons stationed in NATO member states and managed by NATO, and we are trustful that their safety and security are maintained. He added that the Allies do not intend, plan or see any reason why to deploy nuclear weapons to the soil of new NATO member states.
He also mentioned an attempt by the Russian media to misinform.
Vershbow said that he cannot say with any certainty whether this is an example of Russia misinforming or Russia's efforts to advance someone else's misinformation, but NATO is generally worried about the continuing efforts by the Kremlin-controlled Russian state media to deliberately carry misinformation and even falsities in an attempt to shape public opinion in NATO member states.
Romania's Foreign Minister Comanescu said he agrees with Vershbow's statement: "I fully agree with what ambassador Vershbow has said about the way in which certain information is being conceived and circulated, and I believe that has to be kept in mind when such information emerges, as well as to what extent continuing discussions about it or continuing disseminating opinions on such matter is useful," said the Romanian chief diplomat.
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NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow on Monday was awarded Romania's Star in rank of Grand Officer by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in appreciation of constant support to Romania and his vision for Euro-Atlantic development and security.
At the award ceremony hosted by the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, Iohannis thanked ambassador Vershbow "for his entire activity as deputy secretary general of NATO and for his direct and important contribution to NATO achieving its objectives."
"His tenure has witnessed a highly dynamic period of time and a very complex security context marked by an accentuated lack of predictability, where the North-Atlantic Alliance had to simultaneously manage a whole series of serious challenges and threats, both in its eastern and its southern neighbourhoods," said Iohannis.
Vershbow said in his turn that he is very honoured to receive the decoration, as it is a special honour for him to be acknowledged by a country that has an important contribution to NATO and NATO collective security.
He mentioned Romania's involvement in NATO's activities, saying that over the 12 years of its NATO membership, Romania has many times proved its value by participating in Afghanistan and Kosovo missions and by hosting key elements of the NATO missile defence system, as well as by actively contributing to the decisions of the recent NATO Summit in Warsaw to strengthen NATO defence and consolidate its positions.
Vershbow also mentioned the political environment when Central and Eastern European countries became NATO allies.
He said he is very proud to have been able to help shape up policies that allowed NATO to welcome in Romania and other Central European countries; former enemies, he said, became partners at first and then friends and very strong allies.
Vershbow added that he had the privilege of witnessing the involvement of Romanian troops NATO actions, saying that men and women from Romania as NATO military and civilian personnel have helped the Alliance be strong and Europe safe.