26 March 1998
(Council met at ambassadorial level in Brussels March 25) (270) Brussels -- NATO issued a press release summarizing the March 25 meeting of the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council at the ambassadorial level. The ambassadors "focused on the continuation of NATO-Russia cooperation in SFOR within the framework of the multinational force in Bosnia and Herzegovina" following the end of SFOR's current mandate in June. They also discussed peacekeeping and non-proliferation efforts. The next meeting will be April 29. Following is the text of the press release: (Begin text) NATO Press Release 25 Mar. 1998 NATO-RUSSIA STATEMENT ON THE 25 MARCH 1998 PERMANENT JOINT COUNCIL MEETING AT AMBASSADORIAL LEVEL The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) at Ambassadorial level met on Wednesday, 25 March at NATO Headquarters. Ambassadors exchanged views on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They focused on the continuation of NATO-Russia cooperation in SFOR within the framework of the multinational force in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period following the end of SFOR's current mandate in June. The representatives of NATO and Russia were informed about the meeting of military representatives under the auspices of the PJC on 19 March. Ambassadors exchanged views on peacekeeping and welcomed the progress of ongoing work in the political/military experts' working group on peacekeeping. The Ambassadors also reviewed their political and defence efforts against the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and their delivery means. The next meeting of the Permanent Joint Council is scheduled for 29 April 1998. (End text)