Relations between the alliance and the Russian military were frozen in the aftermath of that conflict. Although political ties have thawed considerably over the past five months, there have been no formal military contacts.
The talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his counterparts from NATO's 28 member nations come as President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev prepare to hold a summit next month. Officials said the talks in Corfu will reflect the trend toward improved relations.
It also coincides with preparations for Afghanistan's presidential elections Aug. 20, seen as a key indication of whether the U.S. and NATO are succeeding in their efforts to stabilize the nation. NATO wants Russia to provide more assistance to the war effort, including helping the government army with arms and airlift.
A U.S. diplomat said Washington wanted to engage with Europe and Russia to address the most urgent security challenges, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Lavrov also is expected to expand on Medvedev's proposal for a new European security structure, including a stability treaty encompassing Europe and North America.
NATO cut off the ties in August, when Russian forces invaded Georgia after that country's troops attacked its breakaway province of South Ossetia.
Political relations began to improve shortly after Obama took office. On the military side, Russia cooperated with individual NATO nations such as the U.S., France or Germany by allowing them to use Russia's rail network to resupply international forces in Afghanistan, and its navy worked with the warships of NATO nations on their joint anti-piracy patrols.
But formal military ties between the alliance and Russia have remained suspended. Officials on both sides said the foreign ministers are expected to give a go-ahead Saturday for meetings of defense ministers and chiefs of staff.
Contentious issues such as Georgia and a key European arms-control treaty will also be discussed, but none is seen as an obstacle to improving relations.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was expected to meet with Lavrov in Corfu, was forced to cancel those plans after she fell and broke her elbow at the State Department. Deputy Secretary of States James Steinberg will replace her.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has been active in behind-the-scenes efforts to overcome lingering tensions, will be the only head of government attending the meeting apart from the host country's Costas Karamanlis.
The NATO-Russia meeting will be followed Sunday by a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose rotating chairmanship Greece currently holds.
The OSCE talks, which start Saturday night with a dinner, will be followed Sunday afternoon by a meeting between EU ministers to discuss Iran, the Greek Foreign Ministry has said.
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Associated Press correspondent Elena Becatoros contributed to this report.
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