Thaw In Russia-Nato Relations Imminent

But with both sides expressing their willingness to co-operate and even going as far as drawing up a joint statement in advance, it seems that mutual relations are set to improve. On Wednesday NATO Secretary-General George Robertson is holding talks in Moscow to revive strategic relations with Russia after a year of Cold War-style tensions over Kosovo and Chechnya. Robertson arrived in Moscow late on Tuesday on his first trip as NATO chief, just 24 hours after a deal on the visit was struck following two months of diplomatic shadow-boxing. He is expected to meet Acting President Vladimir Putin. ``We have to do a very painstaking and difficult job to rebuild confidence,'' Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told Robertson as they started their talks at a ministry residence. But he said it was in Europe_s interests to improve relations. Earlier, Robertson met Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev. Russia froze relations with NATO last year in anger at the alliance_s bombing of Yugoslavia over Kosovo. Moscow also objects to criticism of its own war in rebel Chechnya. Despite the conflict of views, Robertson was upbeat and said differences should be aired.