Russia, NATO should be ready for joint response to threats: Ivanov

The armed forces of Russia and NATO should be prepared for a joint response to threats in various parts of the globe, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said here on Tuesday.

"Operational compatibility is one of the topics on the agenda of Russia-NATO cooperation," Ivanov said when talking with his Portuguese counterpart Nuno Severiano Teixeira.

"Such steps have been taken both in the Russia-NATO format and at the bilateral level (between Russia and individual NATO members) ," he said.

"The aim of these measures is to improve our ability to make joint efforts to fend off modern threats and challenges, should it prove necessary," Ivanov was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

"It is a different matter whether or not troops of Russia and NATO will be used in various regions of the world. But our troops should be ready for it."

Earlier in the day, NATO Military Committee chief Raymond Henault said in Moscow that he was satisfied with a high level of cooperation with Russia in theater missile defense command and staff exercises that are in progress.

Source: Xinhua