NATO's new secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, will make bold claims in Istanbul for his Afghan mission.

ECONOMIST: The future of NATO

Rasmussen, who replaces Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at NATO's helm, said relations with Russia were his second priority.

CNN: New NATO chief warns of Afghan 'terror Grand Central'

Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said NATO is close to having the number of troops it needs for Afghanistan, where 47, 000 foreign troops take part in the NATO-led mission.

CNN: NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely

"The NATO-Russia Council is up and running again also at the political level, " said NATO Secretary- General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, speaking at a meeting of ministers in Corfu, Greece.

CNN: NATO, Russia to resume military relationship