KABUL - Improving capabilities and progress in Afghanistan and NATO-Russia cooperation will top the agenda of a two-day NATO defense ministerial beginning Tuesday in Brussels.

In the first working session devoted to capabilities, the defense ministers will also discuss cyber defense, NATO’s Ballistic Missile Defense system and review NATO reforms.

The ministers will also assess progress made in the over 20 Smart Defence projects launched at the Chicago Summit last year.

A second working session on Tuesday will consider the next step in the Alliance’s Connected Forces Initiative, with a focus on NATO’s training, education, and exercises programme after the completion of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan in 2014.

A NATO-Russia Council will start off the second day of the ministerial on Wednesday. The Council is to focus on ways to build on the positive practical military and defense cooperation achieved so far.

The NATO ministers, with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, will also discuss pressing international security issues, including Syria.

Afghan Defense Minister Bismullah Mohammadi Khan, European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and UN Secretary General’s Special representative Jan Kubis are expected to attend the meeting. (Pajhwok)