ABRAMTSEVO, Moscow region. Feb 13 (Interfax) - Missile defense cooperation could change the nature of Russia-NATO relations completely, but no agreement has been reached as yet, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry European Cooperation Department Yuri Gorlach said at a conference in the Moscow region on Monday.
"In our opinion, missile defense is the project capable of changing the paradigm, climate and atmosphere of our relations," he said.
"Alas, we have been unable to reach an agreement so far," he said.
The diplomat recalled Moscow's serious concern about the plans of the United States and NATO to deploy missile defense facilities in Europe.
"Russia has serious concerns over the eventual targeting of this project against the Russian strategic nuclear forces," Gorlach said.
There is no new level in Russia-NATO relations because of the lack of progress in missile defense and some other issues, he said.
"Russia views the absence of progress in the strategic sphere as the absence of common understanding and mutual confidence," the diplomat said.
Keywords: Russia, Nuclear Issues, Missile Defense - Russia News - Russia
ABRAMTSEVO, Moscow region. Feb 13 (Interfax) - Missile defense cooperation could change the nature of Russia-NATO relations completely, but no agreement has been reached as yet, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry European Cooperation Department Yuri Gorlach said at a conference in the Moscow region on Monday.
"In our opinion, missile defense is the project capable of changing the paradigm, climate and atmosphere of our relations," he said.
"Alas, we have been unable to reach an agreement so far," he said.
The diplomat recalled Moscow's serious concern about the plans of the United States and NATO to deploy missile defense facilities in Europe.
"Russia has serious concerns over the eventual targeting of this project against the Russian strategic nuclear forces," Gorlach said.
There is no new level in Russia-NATO relations because of the lack of progress in missile defense and some other issues, he said.
"Russia views the absence of progress in the strategic sphere as the absence of common understanding and mutual confidence," the diplomat said.