INVITATION FROM NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TO

UNCLAS USNATO 000261 SECSTATE FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O, EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL ODIP NATO SUBJECT: INVITATION FROM NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TO SECRETARY CLINTON TO ATTEND NATO-RUSSIA COUNCIL FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN CORFU ON JUNE 27. ¶1. (U) USNATO has received an invitation from NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to Secretary Clinton to attend the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) meeting at the Foreign Minister level in Corfu on June 27. The text of the letter follows. Original will be mailed via unclassified pouch. ¶2. (U) BEGIN TEXT: 12 June 2009 Madam Secretary, Dear Hillary, As Chairman of the NATO-Russia Council, I would like to invite you to attend a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at the level of Foreign Ministers in Corfu on 27 June. The NRC Foreign Ministerial meeting in Corfu will give a high-level political signal that the twenty-nine members of the NATO-Russia Council have agreed to re-launch their relations, on the basis of shared interests, despite remaining disagreements. The meeting will also underscore our continued joint commitment to the NATO- Russia Founding Act and the Rome Declaration. The NRC Foreign Ministerial meeting will also provide NRC members with an opportunity to examine how to take the NRC forward in order to make it a more efficient and valuable instrument for our political dialogue and practical cooperation. It will provide NRC Ambassadors, as well as our Military Representatives, with much needed guidance for the continuation of our joint projects and cooperative activities of mutual interest. While looking forward to your reply and participation in Corfu, I avail of this opportunity, Minister, to express to you my highest consideration. Yours ever, /s/ Jaap de Hoop Scheffer The Honorable Mrs Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State of the United States of America Washington END TEXT DAALDER