NATO to re-start formal talks with Russia

In a further sign of rapprochement between the
West and Russia since the election of US President Barack Obama, NATO
foreign ministers on Thursday agreed to re-engage in formal talks
with Moscow, dpa reported.
While insisting that "fundamental differences" remain, "(NATO)
ministers reached an agreement to formally resume the NATO-Russia
Council (NRC)," said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
"Russia is an important player, a global player. Not talking to
them is not an option," the NATO chief said.
De Hoop Scheffer said NATO and Russian ministers would likely talk
for the first time since NRC meetings were frozen over the August
conflict in Georgia soon after the alliance's April 3-4 summit in
Strasbourg.