Defense ministers from 28 NATO member states will gather on March 10-11 in Brussels to discuss the "architecture" of the future missile defense network in Europe and the situation in Libya.
Russia and NATO agreed to cooperate on the so called European missile defense system at the Lisbon summit in November 2010. NATO insists there should be two independent systems that exchange information, while Russia favors a joint system with full-scale interoperability.
The ministers will draw "a road map" of political, military, organizational and financial aspects of the European missile shield to prepare the basis for the discussions of the issue at the next ministerial meeting in June.
The agenda of the current meeting will also focus on the situation in Libya, where fierce fighting between forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and insurgents continues.
"NATO is not looking to intervene in Libya, but we have asked our military to conduct prudent planning for all eventualities," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Wednesday.
"If requested and if needed we can respond at very short notice," he said, reiterating that all possible alliance's actions would be held in compliance with the UN Security Council's resolutions.
Thousands of people have been killed since the first protesters began demanding the end of Gaddafi's 41-year rule in mid-February.
The rebels are stepping up calls for the UN to impose a no-fly zone over Libyan airspace.
The United States said on Wednesday it was preparing a "full range" of military options for Libya, including a no-fly zone.
Russia has said it is against any military intervention.
BRUSSELS, March 10 (RIA Novosti)
