U.S. in talks with NATO states on deployment of radar system in Europe

WASHINGTON, July 29 (RIA Novosti)

The United States is in talks with a number of NATO states on the deployment of a radar system as part of its mooted missile shield in Europe, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State said.

"We're talking to a number of countries within NATO about this radar system and when it might be deployed but I don't want to get into the substance of those discussions," Mark Toner told a daily press briefing adding that Turkey is among the possible countries.

He reiterated that the missile shield in Europe would not be aimed against Russia and poses no threat to the country at all.

"In terms of Russia's opposition to missile defense plans, we've sought - long sought a cooperative relationship with Russia on missile defense. We continue to seek to cooperate with them on missile defense. We've been clear for many years now that this is not focused on Russia. It's not a threat to them in any way," Toner said.

Russia has retained staunch opposition to the deployment of missile-defense systems near its borders, claiming they would be a security threat. NATO and the United States insist that the shield would defend NATO members against missiles from North Korea and Iran and would not be directed at Russia.