Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Calls for Equal Dialogue on "Open Sky Treaty"
Xinhua News Agency, Moscow, July 6th (Reporter Wu Gang) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Libuyakov called on the 6th for all parties to hold an equal dialogue on the "Open Sky Treaty".
Libuyakov participated in the consultations held by relevant parties on the Open Sky Treaty in the form of video. Libuyakov told reporters after the meeting that most of the participants expressed regret over the United States’ decision to withdraw from the treaty, but some people tried to put the blame on Russia. The parties concerned should hold a dialogue on the "Open Sky Treaty" on the basis of equality and mutual respect, rather than imposing their views on each other.
Libuyakov said that Russia will not seek compromise without harming its own interests, not to mention that the US accusation that Russia violated the "Open Sky Treaty" is unfounded. Relevant parties should seriously analyze the reasons for the current situation, strive to bridge their differences, and strive to maintain the "Open Sky Treaty."
Libuyakov said that the "Open Sky Treaty" Consultative Committee meeting will be held in Vienna, Austria next week, and the parties concerned will also hold a meeting on the treaty in October. However, from the current situation, there is very little hope for the United States to change its decision to withdraw from this treaty.
The Open Sky Treaty was signed in 1992 and entered into force in 2002. The countries participating in the treaty may conduct unarmed air reconnaissance on each other's territory as required. The treaty is an important confidence-building measure after the end of the Cold War, which helps to increase transparency and reduce the risk of conflict. The United States, Russia and most NATO countries signed this treaty.
On May 21 this year, U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo accused Russia of violating the Open Sky Treaty in a statement, stating that the United States will submit a withdrawal notice to all signatories and formally withdraw from the treaty after six months, unless Russia Only then can this treaty be implemented again. In this regard, the Russian side stated that the accusations of the United States are unfounded and that the United States is "absolutely unacceptable" to continue to fulfill the conditions set forth in the "Open Sky Treaty".