En réponse à une question d’une journaliste de l’agence de presse officielle turque (Anadolu) sur l’extension de l’OTAN. Question reformulée par le modérateur
MODERATOR: So in other words, have we… have we con— have we contributed somewhat to… to… to the Russian reaction, in other words…
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN:
(…)
So let me stress that we have not accepted new members of NATO as part of any aggression against Russia. On the contrary, we have for more than 20 years now tried to include Russia in a constructive cooperation.
But apart from all that, we adhere to a fundamental principle, namely that each and every nation has a fundamental right to decide itself its security policies and Alliance affiliation. Actually, that’s also enshrined in the OECE Charter for European Security, which was adopted in 1999 and also signed by Russia. So Russia has subscribed to that principle, that each and every nation has a right to decide itself.
So NATO’s open-door policy follows from our NATO Treaty, Article 10, which states that we may invite any European country that is in a position to improve Euro-Atlantic security and further the principle upon which we have built our societies. Each such European country may be invited to join our Alliance.
And these two things in combination, our open door and the right of every country to decide itself, has led to an expansion of NATO from 16 to 28 nations. That’s not directed against Russia. But it’s based on some fundamental principles, and of course our goal to create a Europe whole, free, and at peace. And we will not accept new dividing lines in… in Europe.
So I… I completely dismiss that allegation, that our open-door policy should be a provocation against Russia.
And just have a look also at economic figures — trade, investment, and other things — you will see that Russia has profited immensely from that zone of security, stability, and prosperity we have contributed to create in Eastern and Central Europe.
So basically, it’s in Russia’s interest.
So… but it goes beyond my imagination how the Kremlin thinks, actually.
Ce qu’exprime la toute dernière phrase de ce passage semée effectivement avéré. Et me semble particulièrement inquiétant vues les fonctions de M. Rasmussen…