NATO foreign ministers have agreed to resume high-level contacts with Russia, suspended last year when Russia's military swept into Georgia.Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced the decision at a NATO foreign ministers' meeting Thursday in Brussels.
He said disagreements between Russia and NATO, including Russian recognition of two breakaway Georgian republics, cannot be forgotten. But he said Russia is a global player and not talking to Moscow is not an option. He suggested new talks with Russia be held as soon as possible after NATO's April summit.
In Moscow, Russia's Foreign Ministry welcomed the move. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged NATO to make a fresh start in relations with Russia.
She called for constructive efforts to engage Russia in such areas as arms control and Afghanistan.