The perspective of NATO's expansion in the eastern direction remains, Mr. Cohen noted at the press-conference, which followed the Russo-American meeting within the framework of the Leaders project in Veliky Novgorod.
NATO's membership is available for all, Mr. Cohen stated.
Nevertheless, Mr. Cohen believes that the question concerning the accession to NATO of Ukraine, Georgia and other Caucasian states, which appeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union, will not be decided in the near future.
In his opinion these countries do not necessarily have to be NATO members.
These countries can gradually develop their own defense potential, actively use contacts with NATO member-countries and exchange with NATO technologies and information.
That is what program Partnership for Peace exists for, Mr. Cohen noted.
The victory of the coalition forces in Iraq is beneficial for all countries in the world and for Russia in particular, he said.
He appealed to all countries in the world to join the operation in Iraq, which the coalition forces currently conduct.
Russia, the Philippines, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Japan and other countries suffered acts of terrorism and thus the USA must not be the only country to fight this threat, Mr. Cohen said.
According to the former US Secretary of Defense, Russia as well as other countries must realize that the success of the coalition forces in Iraq meets their own interests.
The situation in Iraq is ought to be stabilized in order to see there some kind of self-government and provide there the supremacy of law, respect of the majority rights and provision of the minority rights, Mr. Cohen noted.
If in the long run this attempt of the coalition forces fails then Iraq will see chaos and anarchy, he believes.
The destabilization will touch upon not only Iraq, but also the whole region, which might find itself burning in fire, William Cohen said.
