The maintenance of constructive ties between NATO and Russia is in the interest of both sides after NATO embraces seven new members from central and eastern Europe, visiting NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in Lisbon Friday.

NATO is willing to keep constructive relations with Russia after the bloc's eastward expansion and Russia wants such ties with NATO, too, Scheffer told a joint news conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

NATO is set to formally admit Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as three Baltic republics -- Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia -- at its summit to be held this June in Turkey. As a result, members of the bloc will be increased to 26 from the present 19, marking the biggest expansion in its history.

Scheffer added that he is to visit Russia in March and hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on issues concerning the NATO-Russian relations, which, he emphasized, wouldn’t be hurt by the organization's expansion.

Scheffer arrived in Lisbon on Friday for a one-day visit, during which he exchanged views on various issues with Portuguese leaders, including the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the June summit of NATO.

He suggested that it is necessary for the UN Security Council to pass a new resolution on setting up a peacekeeping military mission in Iraq. He promised that the NATO is ready to join such a mission and send forces to Iraq if the move is requested by a sovereign Iraqi government.

Scheffer made the statement after meeting with Portuguese Foreign Minister Teresa Patricio Gouveia.

The international peacekeeping mission will not be sent until the US occupation authorities hands over the sovereignty to an Iraqi government, which is to be set up by June 30, Scheffer stressed.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2004)