At Pratica di Mare, the extension of part of NATO to include Russia was signed. This was perhaps the highest point in relations between Russia and NATO, a situation that would not be repeated in the following two decades. The Pratica di Mare agreement also provided for the creation of the NATO-Russia Council, a permanent assembly of officials focused on security and cooperation issues, which would remain in place for decades (though it would lose its central role). The following year, in the wake of this initial collaboration, the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security was signed, a first mutual commitment to refrain from threats and the use of force. It included, for example, the promise to “jointly build a lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic area based on the principles of democracy and cooperative security.”
