U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are meeting in Geneva in their first formal talks since the secretary assumed her new post.

The discussions are expected to cover world tensions from Afghanistan, to U.S. plans for a missile defense shield in Europe, to Iran's nuclear program.

Earlier in Brussels, Clinton described Europe as an essential U.S. partner and pledged to continue building the trans-Atlantic relationship.

On ties with Russia, Clinton noted good chances for cooperation on such issues as terrorism and non-proliferation. But she said the sides disagree on certain things, stressing Washington's condemnation of Russia's military action in Georgia last year.  

She criticized Russia for using energy as a tool of intimidation and said U.S engagement with Russia in no way undermines U.S. support for Georgia and the Baltic and Balkan countries.

Clinton arrived in Geneva after talks with NATO foreign ministers in Brussels Thursday. The ministers agreed to resume high-level contacts with Russia that were suspended last year after the Russian military sweep into Georgia.

Russian diplomats say they are awaiting the results of Friday's meeting with "cautious optimism." They say Friday's meeting will set the agenda for the April meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents.