NATO and Russian officials are reported moving closer to agreement on creating a new joint grouping that would provide a forum for the new relationship between Moscow and the West, as the alliance prepares for a new round of expansion.

NATO diplomats say the plan will almost certainly be ready for the next meeting of alliance foreign ministers scheduled for Reykjavik in May. Under the proposal, Russia would have equal status with NATO's 19 member states and have a say in decision-making, turning it into a new forum of 20.

The plan would see Russian officials working much closer with NATO on international security issues. These would include peacekeeping operations, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and air and sea rescue missions.

NATO officials stress, however, that the new arrangement will not give Russia a veto over alliance military decisions or the vital interests of any NATO country.

NATO has sought to strengthen ties with Russia since the September 11th attacks on the United States when Moscow strongly backed Western efforts to deal with international terrorism. At the same time, Russia has appeared to ease some of its opposition to NATO expansion. The alliance summit in Prague in November is expected to approve the admission of about seven east and central European countries to NATO.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters.

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