NATO does not consider Russia to be its enemy and is not directed against the country, alliance Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told at the December 17 press conference in Moscow.

Rasmussen underlined that in the course of his visit to Russia, he discussed a number of security problems, including issues on Georgia and NATO expansion to the East, Interfax reports.

According to Rasmussen, NATO is ready to discuss project on European security proposed by RF President Dmitry Medvedev, though he does not see the necessity of the new agreement. We have discussed issues related to a new treaty on European security with Russian leadership and are ready to touch upon theses ideas in future, said Rasmussen. Secretary General considers that OSCE might become a good base for talks on this initiative as the organization involves 56 states interested in the majority of the treaty provisions.

Rasmussen also informed that the issues on disarmament and control were discussed with Russian authorities, ITAR-TASS reports. NATO hopes for success in U.S.- Russia talks on START treaty, Secretary General pointed out.

A.G.