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The message said, in part:

“The future of Europe cannot be regarded today without an account for global security problems to be tackled by the entire world in the 21st century. Undoubtedly, the greatest problem is presented by new threats and challenges, such as international terrorism which has acquired a global scope.

“It is impossible to meet those challenges without a broad-based multilateral cooperation and a comprehensive strategy. The military are also called upon to play their part as they are in the foreground of the fight against the terrorist threat.

“I firmly believe that Russia and NATO have a potential for an alliance in the new security situation. The shared realisation of the need for joint action has allowed us to change the quality of Russia-NATO relations. It is basically important that the counter-terrorist combat has become an inalienable part of Russia’s ever closer partnership with the North Atlantic alliance.

“We cannot rest on our laurels. It is necessary now to develop an effective system of measures to prevent terrorist attacks, stop the funding of terrorism, and make the punishment of terrorists and their harbourers inevitable.

“Today, we share a common duty – to make the Russia-NATO Council an effective tool of the new architecture of European security and stability.”

Mr Putin wished the conference fruitful work and every success.

The second conference of the Russia-NATO Council continued the work of the first conference devoted to the same subject, which gathered at the NATO Defence College in Rome, February 2002.