Russia-NATO council to hold routine session in Brussels

A routine session of the Russia-NATO council at the level of chief of general staffs will be held on Wednesday in the alliance's headquarters in Brussels' suburbs.

Taking part in the negotiations on Russia's part will be chief of the general staff Anatoly Kvashnin.

The participants in the session are expected to discuss the results of the Council's work from its creation in May 2002, the plan of further cooperation, and Russia-NATO defense collaboration.

The Council is also expected to approve measures in the field of operative compatibility and conducting operations at sea, RIA Novosti was told at the Russian embassy to Brussels.

The Russian defense ministry told RIA Novosti that "Anatoly Kvashnin will discuss prospects for the Russia-NATO military cooperation in 2004, in particular conducting the first joint Russia-NATO military exercises." In addition, the defense ministry pointed out, the participants in the session will consider the issues of theater missile defense, and intensification of the struggle against terrorism and proliferation of mass destruction weapons.