Russia Vows To Help NATO More In Afghanistan

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (right) meets with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Moscow.

Russia has promised to do more to help NATO in Afghanistan, but stopped short of making any specific commitments.

Speaking after talks with NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "We will expand our cooperation in Afghanistan, it's in our common vital interests."

Rasmussen also met with President Dmitry Medvedev, who said that "overall, relations between Russia and NATO have become more productive and intensive."

Rasmussen called a summit with NATO leaders later this month to be attended by Medvedev "a real chance to turn the page once and for all to bury the ghosts of the past."

He said the Lisbon summit would be "a fresh start" for the NATO-Russia relationship.

Rasmussen also said he suggested "a procedure, a way forward" on cooperation with Russia on missile defense.

The meetings in Moscow were also to look at his proposal for Russia to supply Afghan government forces with helicopters and Afghan pilot training.

compiled from agency reports