MOSCOW, September 29 (RIA Novosti) - New...

"The visit will take place before the end of this year. It is most likely to be held after a Russia-NATO Council ministerial meeting in early December," Dmitry Rogozin told journalists.

The official said a joint analysis of security threats was a priority in Russian-NATO cooperation.

"We have repeatedly addressed NATO with proposals to analyze the threats. These are not just missile threats," Rogozin said, referring to man-made disasters, terrorist attacks and climate change.

Rasmussen, who took office on August 1, has repeatedly pledged to improve relations with Russia, making cooperation with Moscow a top priority.

Relations between Moscow and the 28-member alliance deteriorated over what NATO called Russia"s "disproportionate" military action in Georgia in early August 2008, after which the alliance suspended formal NATO-Russia Council meetings and cooperation in some areas.