Putin in Brussels seeking increased cooperation with Nato and EU

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today he wants to work closely with Nato and European authorities to tackle not only the immediate terrorist threat but the root causes terrorism.

‘‘I think military force is not enough to fight terrorism ... we have to eliminate the base upon which terrorism is founded, eliminate the causes,’’ he said in Brussels.

Last month’s attacks in New York and Washington have drawn Russia into closer cooperation with the West and Putin’s talks with European Union leaders are a search for further common ground, officials said.

Speaking after meeting Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who currently holds the EU presidency, Putin said he wanted to increase cooperation in military and other fields.

‘‘We are ready to strengthen our cooperation with Nato and European military structures, to give a new quality to our relationship,’’ he said.

The Russian president said the fight against terrorism would be complex and would ‘‘never work unless we can unite the whole international community.’’

He said he feared military strikes in Afghanistan would lead to civilian casualties, but he said while he was sure every effort would be made to avoid that, the blame for any civilian casualties would lie ‘‘with the terrorists and those who shelter them.’’

EU officials praised Putin for throwing his support behind the American-led anti-terrorist coalition.

‘‘Russia has impressed many by her willingness to set history aside and to align herself solidly with the international coalition against terrorism,’’ said External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said in a speech to European business leaders.

Patten said he hoped that would open ‘‘the way to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Chechnya.’’

Human rights organisations however appealed to the EU and Nato not allow Moscow’s support against international terrorism blind them to abuses by Russian forces in Chechnya.

Human Rights Watch urged a strong EU message that Russia’s participation in the coalition ‘‘does not mean the EU will countenance violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Chechnya.’’

Russia long has rejected charges of human rights abuses in its military campaign against Chechnya rebels, saying it is confronting a terrorist threat, linked to extremists in Afghanistan.

Putin spent much of the day in largely ceremonial visits to Brussels city hall, Parliament and a meeting with King Albert.

Tomorrow, he meets European Commission President Romano Prodi and other EU officials looking for ways to improve the business climate between the Western Europeans and Russia and to encourage outside investment, especially in the energy sector.

Finally, he will have talks with Nato Secretary-General Lord Robertson.

Mr Patten said the EU was willing to help Russia tackle red tape, corruption and crime to encourage foreign investment and said tomorrow’s meeting could be a step to closer economic ties including by opening EU markets to Russia.

‘‘For the best part of a century, artificial dividing lines have kept Russia on a different track from the rest of Europe. Our tracks are now converging,’’ he said.

‘‘In the coming months, the EU and Russia will I hope - draw up a blueprint for close economic integration.’’