Russia and NATO will meet on September 30 to discuss the setting up of a special group on Afghanistan through which Moscow would be better informed about developments there, a Russian envoy said on Friday.

Russian Ambassador Dmitry Rogozin said that he would join his counterparts from NATO's 27 nations to "discuss the creation of a special group within the NATO-Russia Council to discuss Afghanistan" on September 30.

The NATO-Russia Council is the forum where the two meet to discuss cooperation and air their many differences.

The meeting comes as NATO tries to reach out to Russia to improve ties soured by Moscow's decision to send troops into Georgia last year, and its subsequent recognition of two breakaway Georgian regions.

Russia is concerned that NATO and its partners might leave Afghanistan, with the tide of public opinion turning against the military alliance's enterprise there as casualties mount and civilians are caught in fighting with insurgents.

"If NATO leaves Afghanistan then we would face a catastrophic scenario," Rogozin said. "A very self-confident Taliban, a consolidated Taliban, and others would be moving north and towards the Caucasus region."

"NATO is fulfilling international interests in Afghanistan, but we have to be informed on a daily basis," he said, adding that Russia is "ready to help NATO fulfill its mandate."