SOCHI, Russia - NATO's top official says the alliance and Russia must build on their cooperation in the Afghan war and the fight against maritime piracy to create a solid strategic partnership.

Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday the former Cold War rivals "are not yet there but are making progress."

Envoys from the alliance's 28 members and Russia are in the resort city of Sochi for a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, which normally meets at NATO's headquarters in Brussels.

The wars in Libya and Afghanistan and plans to build a ballistic missile shield are expected to dominate the meeting.

Russia has repeatedly criticized the alliance's bombing of Libya, saying it violates the UN resolution that sanctioned the military operation.