BRUSSELS, October 22 (RIA Novosti) - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will visit Moscow on December 15-17, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on Thursday.

The NATO press service is yet to confirm the information.

In September, Russia's envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said the new secretary general would probably visit Moscow "after a Russia-NATO Council ministerial meeting in early December."

Rasmussen earlier proposed Russia-NATO discussions to analyze security challenges of the 21st century, considering common security interests and possible threats.

He has also expressed readiness to intensify Russia-NATO cooperation on Afghanistan and to strengthen military collaboration.

Relations between Moscow and NATO deteriorated over Russia's war with Georgia in August 2008, after which the alliance suspended formal NATO-Russia Council meetings and cooperation in certain areas.

Relations have also been strained by Russia's resistance to Georgia and Ukraine's bids to join the NATO.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reiterated on Tuesday that "Russia is ready to harmonize relations with the United States and other Western partners, including constructive cooperation with NATO in resolving common tasks."