Dmitry Rogozin: Russia is Ready to Create a Joint ABM system with NATO

29.09.2009 16:08

Dmitry Rogozin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to NATO said that Russia is ready to create a joint ABM system with the Alliance. According to Rogozin, Moscow can take such a step provided that the proposed initiatives are more “clarified and predictable” and such a system “is not a part of the US ABM defense.”

“If Washington’s proposals are more clarified and predictable (in the field of ABM defense), if we understand that the initiative of the European antimissile defense is really not a part of the US ABM defense, then – yes, such efforts are possible,” said Rogozin on Tuesday at the press-conference in Moscow.

“On the one hand, Moscow's decision will depend to a large extent on NATO's European allies’ wish to build such a system together with Russia. On the other hand, it will be connected whether the USA intends to bring what the Europeans are being done under complete control and build in its Antiballistic Missile Strategic Defense Initiative,” the Russian permanent representative noted.

As Dmitry Rogozin reminded, earlier between Russia and NATO there was a project, providing for cooperation in the field of theater missile defenses (TMD). “The question was about a possibility of cooperation between the Russian armed forces and the armed forces of NATO member states possessing respective rocket interception systems, first of all, short-range ones to defend so called peacemaking contingents,” said Rogozin.

According to Rogozin’s information, the Russian party is re-establishing military-technical cooperation with NATO. “For this purpose Mikhail Dmitriev, Head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation is flying with me to Brussels today. And on September 30 in Alliance headquarters a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at ambassadorial level will take place, where Mikhail Dmitriev’s speech is expected,” said the permanent representative.

According to Rogozin’s information, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s visit to Moscow is planned for the beginning of December of this year. “The visit will take place before this year is out. Most probably, the question is about the time after the Russia-NATO Ministerial Council Meeting early in December,” said Dmitry Rogozin.