NATO Sec. Gen. criticizes Russia's stance on U.S. missile defense plans in Eastern Europe

PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer criticized Russia's stance on U.S. missile defense plans in Eastern Europe.



"We should continue our discussion with Russia. Let me speak openly. Russia's sharp criticism of U.S. plans attached a counterproductive and useless coloring to the NATO-Russia dialogue," he said.



"Russia's warnings addressed to our Czech and Polish allies are inappropriate in today's Europe," he said.



The Alliance head considers that Russia's "very lour rhetoric diverts us from the key issue - how to ensure our security in the epoch of rocket technologies."



At the same time he expressed readiness to attend to Russia's concerns about the missile defense shield.



He described Russian President's proposal on joint use of Azeri radar base as a "pragmatic signal."



"I would not judge the specific advantages of this proposal but I think it point out to three nuances. First, Russia recognized the existence of potential rocket menace; second, Russia seeks for joint solutions; third, pragmatic compromise on missile defense shield can be found," the NATO Sec. Gen. said.



He gave a positive estimation to the Russia-NATO cooperation for securing the theatre missile defense (TMD) capability," RIA Novosti reports.