NATO deputy chief stresses dialogue with Russia

BRUSSELS -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller on Tuesday stressed the importance of continuing dialogue with Russia at a forum in Germany, according to a NATO statement.

Participating in a panel discussion at the Berlin Policy Forum, Gottemoeller outlined the Alliance's dual-track approach of strong defense and dialogue with Russia.

She said that in times of tension, dialogue with Russia is even more important to reduce risks and build confidence.

NATO suspended practical cooperation with Russia in April 2014 in response to the Ukraine crisis, and the NATO-Russia Council was the only channel left open.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also highlighted that NATO wants dialogue with Russia.

"Russia is our biggest neighbor, Russia is there to stay and especially when tensions run high and especially when we face many different security challenges, it is important to have dialogue," Stoltenberg told media while attending EU defense ministers meeting on Nov 15.