BRUSSELS, Fri Nov 26, Associated Press – Russia’s envoy to NATO is optimistic about the feasibility of a proposed joint missile defense system with NATO.

Ambassador Dmitry Rogozin says the plan, endorsed by NATO leaders and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last week at a summit in Portugal, would mean "security for us all in the Euro-Atlantic region."

Experts from both sides will meet next week to begin considering linking NATO’s and Russia’s separate systems to provide a shield against incoming missiles from rogue nations. They are to deliver their report to defense ministers in July.

At the summit, NATO leaders adopted the plan for the missile shield and invited Moscow to participate. Medvedev and NATO also agreed that Russia would expand its assistance to the NATO force in Afghanistan.