Russia and NATO resumed their interrupted contacts.

In the capital of Belgium, opened the first since the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia meeting of the Russia - NATO. It is held at the ambassadorial level. From Russia involved the Russian permanent representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin, said RIA Novosti.
Bilateral contacts have been frozen for eight months ago at the initiative of Russia, which accused NATO of supporting attacks by Georgia on South Ossetia. For its part, the alliance considered excessive measures taken by Russia to protect Russian citizens in South Ossetia.
Held in Brussels meeting is a preparatory step before the meeting of the Russia - NATO Foreign Ministers, scheduled for May 19.
Anticipating the resumption of bilateral contacts, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stressed that Russia is an important player, "with which the Western military alliance must work together in addressing global security challenges, transmits the correspondent of" Interfax "in Brussels.
Despite the resumption of political contacts between Russia and NATO, bilateral relations have not yet reached the previous level. As previously stated Rogozin, if the alliance does not cancel their exercises in Georgia, it will be canceled scheduled for May 7 meeting of Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO and Russia.
Military maneuvers of the alliance to Georgia are scheduled for the period from 6 May to 1 June. NATO claims that the exercises will be conducted without the use of weapons and military equipment. In Russia, called the move a provocation. After the condemnation was made by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, on his refusal to participate in the exercises announced Latvia, Estonia, Kazakhstan and Serbia.