Russian and NATO chiefs of staff approved Tuesday a framework military cooperation treaty, a NATO official said.

He described it as "a very important step" toward the restoration of military ties between Russia and NATO frozen after a brief Russian-Georgian war in August 2008.

He added that Russian and NATO officials would meet again in May to finalize the plan and discuss further cooperation.

The cooperation plan for the current year reportedly includes Russia's support for the U.S.-led military operation in Afghanistan, specifically military transit via Russian airspace, as well as joint anti-piracy and antiterrorism efforts.

Russian and NATO top military officials met in Brussels, formally resuming the work of the Russia-NATO Council.

Russia was represented at the meeting by Gen. Nikolai Makarov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

NATO foreign ministers resolved to restore full-fledged cooperation with Russia last March.

NATO froze ties with Russia following a brief armed conflict with Georgia and the recognition by Moscow of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but relations have improved in recent months.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed hope in December that the alliance and Russia would establish a joint missile defense system by 2020.

Addressing students at the Moscow State Institute/University of International Relations, Rasmussen said the joint shield would unite Russia and NATO politically and ensure nuclear security between them.

BRUSSELS, January 26 (RIA Novosti)