The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced that it is ready to host a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council, if required
Photo: Denis Balibouse / Reuters
Switzerland has announced its readiness to host a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, scheduled for January 12, if required. This was reported to “Lente.ru” by the press secretary of the country's foreign ministry, Pierre-Alain Eltschinger.
“Switzerland is ready to offer its mediation services when it is useful and desirable. This includes hosting or facilitating conferences or meetings, ”said a spokesman for the agency in response to a question about the likelihood of a meeting of the Council in Switzerland. The Foreign Ministry added that for reasons of confidentiality, they cannot provide additional information.
Earlier it became known that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposed to hold a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council on January 12. It was reported that this initiative is currently being discussed with Moscow. It was also noted that on the same day a meeting of the chiefs of general staff of NATO member states will be held.
On December 24, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow was considering an invitation to take part in a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council. The diplomat recalled that the activities of the Russian mission to the alliance were suspended, and all Russian diplomats and staff of the chief military representative's office returned to their homeland. Zakharova noted that the format, modalities and timing of a possible meeting will have to be determined taking into account these circumstances.
