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NATO urged to show stronger resolve on Russia, boost defense

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - NATO's Parliamentary Assembly urged alliance members Monday to stand up to Russia's military assertiveness and to do a better job sharing the burden of collective defense.

A unanimously approved declaration called on alliance members "to provide reassurance to those allies who feel their security is under threat, focusing on the eastern and southern flanks of the alliance."

The declaration sought to strengthen conventional and nuclear deterrence measures, heighten NATO military preparedness, and boost cooperation with non-NATO members Sweden and Finland. All are expected objectives of the alliance's July 8-9 summit in Warsaw.

The assembly president, American lawmaker Michael R. Turner, declared that "Russia's aggressiveness comes with a price" as he appealed to European partners to boost defense spending.

"Moscow has decided that its own interests are better served if it works against us rather than with us," said Turner, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio. "The challenge from Russia is real and serious."

NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow said NATO would maintain dialogue with Russia "but there can be no return to 'business as usual' ... until Russia once again demonstrates respect for international law and the norms of international behavior."

Vershbow said NATO members would seek to strengthen the alliance's defense capabilities and logistical support for other allies bordering Russia at the Warsaw summit. He urged members to follow through on their previous commitments to increase defense spending to at least 2 percent of national economic output.

Monday's declaration specified that all members should achieve this target by 2020. It said NATO nations also should "continue to explore ways to reduce tensions with Russia and avoid miscalculations and incidents."

About 250 lawmakers from 28 NATO member countries and partners gathered in the Albanian capital, Tirana, amid tight security. They also debated NATO policy on terrorism, mass migration, the Ukraine crisis and security in the Western Balkans during the three-day assembly, which concluded Monday.

The assembly hailed Montenegro's recent invitation to become a full member and hoped eventually to offer membership to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Russian neighbor Georgia.

NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow walks during the Parliamentary Assembly's Spring session in Tirana, Albania, Monday, May 30, 2016. NATO's Parliamentary Assembly urged alliance members Monday to stand up to Russia's military assertiveness and to do a better job sharing the burden of collective defense. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
NATO's Parliamentary Assembly President, US Congressman Michael R. Turner speaks at the Spring session urging alliance members to show resolve to Russia's increased military assertiveness and better share the burden of collective defense at the July summit, in Tirana, Monday, May 30, 2016. Some 250 parliamentarians from 28 NATO-member countries and partners have gathered in a three-day session in the Albanian capital, Tirana under tight security measures.(AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow walks during the Parliamentary Assembly's Spring session in Tirana, Albania, Monday, May 30, 2016. NATO's Parliamentary Assembly urged alliance members Monday to stand up to Russia's military assertiveness and to do a better job sharing the burden of collective defense. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring session urging alliance members include the Western Balkans, especially Kosovo in its ranks to increase the regional and global security, in Tirana, Monday, May 30, 2016. Some 250 parliamentarians from 28 NATO-member countries and partners have gathered in a three-day session in the Albanian capital, Tirana under tight security measures.(AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring session urging alliance members include the Western Balkans, especially Kosovo in its ranks to increase the regional and global security, in Tirana, Monday, May 30, 2016. Some 250 parliamentarians from 28 NATO-member countries and partners have gathered in a three-day session in the Albanian capital, Tirana under tight security measures.(AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic speaks at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring session in Tirana, Monday, May 30, 2016, thanking for his country's invitation to become an alliance member. Some 250 parliamentarians from 28 NATO-member countries and partners have gathered in a three-day session in the Albanian capital, Tirana under tight security measures. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
Albania's Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta speaks at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring session showing Tirana's resolve in support of the alliance policies on fighting terrorism, its stand on Russia, refugee crisis and other challenges, in Tirana, Monday, May 30, 2016. Some 250 parliamentarians from 28 NATO-member countries and partners have gathered in a three-day session in the Albanian capital, Tirana under tight security measures.(AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow Speaks at the Parliamentary Assembly's Spring session in Tirana, Albania, Monday, May 30, 2016. NATO's Parliamentary Assembly urged alliance members Monday to stand up to Russia's military assertiveness and to do a better job sharing the burden of collective defense. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow Speaks at the Parliamentary Assembly's Spring session in Tirana, Albania, Monday, May 30, 2016. NATO's Parliamentary Assembly urged alliance members Monday to stand up to Russia's military assertiveness and to do a better job sharing the burden of collective defense. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press
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