11.   Russian membership in the NATO partnership programme recently ran into snags after NATO carried out air strikes in Bosnia last month without consulting Moscow.

12.   Russia agreed Friday to join a NATO military partnership programme in exchange for stronger political links with the alliance.

13.   Russia is not taking part as it joined the partnership programme in June, after the exercises were already organized.

14.   The general said they would also discuss preparations for joint military manoeuvres in the NATO partnership programme, of which Russia is a member.