Russia, NATO to discuss Moscow's pact freeze in May

MOSCOW, Apr 27 (Reuters) Russia's Defence Ministry said today it would start talks with NATO in May on the future of Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) pact after Moscow's decision to freeze its commitments under the treaty.

''I will be in Brussels on May 10, we are ready to start negotiations and will convey the position of our president to our (NATO) colleagues,'' Russian news agencies quoted Russian Chief of General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky as saying.

NATO expressed grave concerns at President Vladimir Putin's decision, announced yesterday, to freeze Russia's commitments under the European arms control pact.

NATO has for years insisted that Russia withdraw its remaining troops from Georgia and Moldova before its members ratify a revised version of the 1990 pact.

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