European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana says U.S.-Russian relations are looking up. He says U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov next month to look for ways to improve cooperation.

Tensions flared between the former Cold War rivals in recent years over disagreements on missile defense, NATO expansion and Moscow's invasion of Georgia last year.

Solana met with Clinton Thursday and was in Moscow this week as well. He says U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's call to "hit the reset button" on relations was well received in Moscow.

The U.S. State Department has not yet announced the meeting with Lavrov. Solana said the two would meet in Geneva after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers early next month.

The Associated Press, February 13, 2009