Grushko says about Problems in Interaction of Russia and NATO over Afghanistan.

NATO is not ready to restore cooperation with Russia on Afghanistan and to unfreeze important joint projects, Russia’s Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko said.

“Today there are no signs that NATO will be ready to restore the activities of the working group of the Russia-NATO Council on Afghanistan or to unfreeze the joint projects important for the security of the citizens of Russia and the countries of the alliance. NATO has adopted a political decision, from which the real security of our states and citizens suffers, especially when it comes to drugs. I note at the same time that at present, Afghans makes up a large part of the migration flow to Europe, “, he said in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper.

Grushko noted that Russia constantly raises this issue on the Council’s platform – the issue of the Afghan settlement affects the security interests of Russia and NATO.

“The situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen, which, in fact, is recognized by the members of the alliance, who are now working to strengthen the NATO training and training mission” Strong Support. ” The paradox is: Saying in words that it is impossible to allow the transformation of Afghanistan into a safe harbor for terrorist organizations, including IS, as well as the flow of a terrorist threat beyond this country – and such risks really exist, – NATO members have cut off all practical cooperation with us, the Permanent Representative stressed.

He pointed to a long list of missed opportunities that could be given by the cooperation of the two states.

“Who has benefited from the termination of joint training of the staff of the anti-drug services of Afghanistan, Central Asia and Pakistan? In total, within the framework of the NRC, more than 4,000 specialists were trained for the relevant departments. Has the capability of the Afghan army to control the country’s territory increased after the NRC project for training Afghan technicians for servicing Russian and Soviet helicopters has been curtailed? These are the machines that make up the core of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (IRA), “he said.

Grushko stressed that Russia “is ready to cooperate with all those who are genuinely interested in establishing peace in this country, do not pursue narrow-minded geopolitical goals that are incompatible with the task of stabilizing the IRA.”