Germany Calls for Meeting Over Russian Arms Treaty Suspension

Germany Calls for Meeting Over Russian Arms Treaty Suspension

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=aeuqwPAhbAVs&refer=germany

By Patrick Donahue

July 20 (Bloomberg) -- The German government called for a meeting of top officials in October to discuss Russia's suspension of the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, saying it was ``concerned'' about the decision.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Berlin today ``expressed his concern over the steps announced by the Russians,'' ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said in an e-mailed statement. The 1990 treaty is ``a central core of international disarmament architecture,'' he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree July 14 suspending the accord, which limits conventional forces deployed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the countries of the former Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. NATO called the suspension ``deeply disappointing'' and urged Russia to enter talks to find a solution, to which Russia responded that there was ``no point.''

Steinmeier announced a meeting of officials in Berlin, scheduled for early October, ``to open a door to substantive dialogue'' on the issues surrounding the treaty, according to Jaeger's statement.

Russia now sees scope to find an agreement on arms control and welcomed Germany's involvement, the Interfax news agency reported, citing Lavrov. The minister told Russian journalists in Berlin today that Russia ``is not closing the door,'' Interfax said.

Putin, when suspending the treaty, cited concerns that the agreement undermines Russia's security. Russia has objected to the eastward expansion of NATO and Putin has denounced U.S. plans to site a radar station in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, both former Soviet satellite states.

Russian officials want talks on ``modernizing'' the treaty, Interfax reported earlier today, citing Anton Mazur, head of the Foreign Ministry's conventional-weapons control department.