The Russia-NATO Council will go ahead with its ministerial-level meeting on December 4, the Russian foreign minister said on Wednesday.

"As for the Russia-NATO Council meeting, it's still on and will take place on Friday," Sergei Lavrov said.

The Russian envoy to NATO said on Tuesday Canada had blocked the adoption of all documents to be considered at an upcoming meeting.

The upcoming session, the first official talks to be held since the August 2008 armed conflict between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia, is aimed at drafting a "roadmap" for improving relations between Russia and the Western military alliance.

Dmitry Rogozin said there were factions in NATO that still regard Russia as a "Cold War" rival and oppose any "reset" of relations.

During an informal ministerial meeting in Greece in June, Russia and NATO agreed to renew cooperation on security issues, which was frozen after Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war in August over the former Georgian republic of South Ossetia, after which Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another former Georgian republic.

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

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

ATHENS, December 2 (RIA Novosti)