EU rift over missile defense
A rift between various European Union member states has emerged after the Czech Republic and Poland agreed to host parts of a new US missile defense system on their territory. The system would defend against rocket attacks from Iran and other “hostile” states. The system has angered Russia as it sees the shield as a threat to Russian security. Austria and Luxembourg question the decision of the Czech Republic and Poland.
US plans to build an anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech republic have led to open divisions within the EU, with the Czech foreign minister strongly rejecting criticism from Austria and Luxembourg on the scheme.
The controversy over the US defence system - aimed at intercepting ballistic missiles fired from states such as Iran - hit the EU stage on Monday (5 March) as Austrian foreign minister Ursula Plassnik reportedly said “in the population of Austria, there is some concern” during a lunch with her EU counterparts in Brussels.
Just before the meeting, Luxembourg foreign minister Jean Asselborn had also expressed strong concern that Warsaw and Prague’s interest in hosting the anti-missile bases could provoke new tensions with Russia.
Read the full article at the EUObserver clicking here.
Administrator @ March 6, 2007