MOSCOW. March 19 (Interfax) - The second round of consultations between the U.S. secretary of state and defense secretary and Russian foreign and defense ministers in Moscow was marked by quite tangible agreements and certain progress regarding missile defense and strategic arms reductions on Tuesday, prominent Russian political analyst Vyacheslav Nikonov said.

"I think the agreements are quite realistic, and both parties have reverted to the positions that the American side dropped half a year ago. I believe we can talk about a certain amount of progress," Nikonov told Interfax on Wednesday.

It is of fundamental importance to Russia that the U.S. missile defense infrastructure in Eastern Europe, which would include a radar station in the Czech Republic, not be used to monitor Russian territory, Nikonov said.

"All grounds for Russia's concerns should be eliminated," Nikonov said. Confidence between the two countries will be confirmed if Russian specialists are admitted to the missile defense facility in the Czech Republic for inspections, he said.

As regards strategic arms reductions, there are reasons to expect a degree of progress on the way toward mutual understanding on that issue as well, Nikonov said. "I think the U.S. should be interested in this agreement and in reciprocal inspections," he said.