The decision to re-start negotiations on a treaty covering cooperation was made during a summit in Nice last month, RIA Novosti reported. Lithuania objected, the Russian news agency noted.

"Although I am setting off for the talks in a positive frame of mind, I do not expect them to be either easy or swift," Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian delegate to the European Union, said as he left for Brussels. "However, the very fact that they have been resumed gives cause for optimism."

Also Tuesday, NATO foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, agreed to resume discussions with Russia.

Both NATO and the European Union suspended talks in August after Russia sent troops into Georgia. Georgia had attempted to bring the breakaway region of South Ossetia back under control.