NATO and Russian military chiefs met in Brussels on Tuesday, the first time since the outbreak of war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008.

The Russian Chief of Defence, Gen. Nikolai Makarov, met the head of NATO's military committee, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, before a broader conference with military chiefs from the 28 NATO states.

NATO said in a statement following the meeting that NATO and Russia "exchanged views on military cooperation and the way ahead for practical activities in the field of logistics, combatting terrorism, search and rescue at sea and counter piracy."

The two agreed on a framework for military-to-military cooperation, which will lead to a work plan of military cooperative activities, it said.

The next meeting will take place in May this year.

The relations between NATO and Russia were frozen since August 2008. Though Georgia remains a source of tension, the relations between the two sides have improved in recent months.

In December 2009, NATO and Russian foreign ministers met in Brussels and agreed on enhancing military cooperation. Furthermore, NATO is also seeking Russia's help on Afghanistan.