Russia gives its blessing on NATO

Russia's defense minister reaffirmed Lithuania's right to join NATO during a three-day visit to the Baltic country, the first visit from a Russian defense chief since Moscow withdrew its troops in 1993.

Speaking to reporters in the Lithuanian seaside resort of Palanga July 30, Ivanov said, "Russia's position on Lithuania's NATO membership is very clear: It is up to Lithuania to decide which organizations it wants to join."

Moscow has said it still opposes NATO membership for Lithuania and neighbors Latvia and Estonia but has softened its stance since it joined the United States as a partner in a global war against terrorism.

Russia has since been awarded associate status in NATO and may influence alliance policy on certain issues.

Ivanov did urge Lithuania to sign the 1990 Conventional Forces of Europe Treaty that limits the type of armed forces that can be deployed in European regions.

Without the treaty, he said it was becoming difficult to ensure safety and stability in the region.

"A black legal hole, where no restrictions on deployment of the alliance's forces and military equipment are in force, may appear," Ivanov said during a news conference.

The treaty is seen in Moscow as security against a buildup of NATO troops in the Baltic states along its western border once Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia join the alliance. All three countries expect invitations this November.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Linas Linkevicius said the country would consider signing the treaty, but not before it consults with NATO allies.

The treaty was signed by NATO and Warsaw Pact members before the Baltic states regained independence from the Soviet Union.

Ivanov arrived in Lithuania from Russia's Kaliningrad region. Russia and the European Union are trying to reach an agreement over visas for Kaliningrad residents wishing to travel to mainland Russia once Lithuania and Poland join the EU.

Moscow has firmly rejected EU plans to impose a visa regime on Kaliningraders, who may currently travel to Lithuania visa-free.

"We find such an approach to this issue unacceptable," Ivanov said in Kaliningrad July 29 at a parade honoring the Russian navy's Baltic fleet.

In Palanga, Ivanov steered clear of the visa issue but pressed officials on allowing Russia to transport toxic rocket fuel from Kaliningrad to the rest of Russia via Lithuania.

He said Kaliningrad had accumulated more than 1,600 tons of spent rocket fuel and wanted permission to transport it via special trains across Lithuanian territory.

Russia currently needs a permit from the Lithuanian Defense Ministry for such transport.

"We are raising the issue for the second year in a row, but we remain in the same place, having failed to reach agreement," Ivanov said.

Ivanov and Linkevicius agreed to form a group of Lithuanian and Russian experts to explore the idea.