Russia-US 'two plus two talks' on missile shield in Europe: Lavrov

Moscow, Oct 9 (UNI) Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here today that the coming Russian-US talks in the 'two plus two' format, will focus mainly on the US plans to deploy elements of its missile shield in Europe.

The meeting will focus on the complex of strategic stability issues that are on the Russian-US agenda, Lavrov said at a press conference, referring to the Russia-US talks to be held on October 12, in Moscow.

He said in the 'two plus two' format talks, the two countries' foreign and defence ministers will take part, adding they include not only the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM), but also the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE), as well as the regime of the reduction of strategic offensive weapons after the START-1 Treaty expires.

He however stressed that in line with the agreements between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George W Bush, the main attention at the talks is planned to be given to issues of missile defence.

Russia has repeatedly expressed its attitude to the US unilateral plans to create the third missile deployment area within the framework of the national global ABM system, he said.

Lavrov expressed the hope that the answer the US promised to bring to the talks in Moscow at the end of the week, will promote strategic stability.

''The Americans promised to bring a concrete reply. We expect it to be such that it will strengthen strategic stability instead of creating new risks,'' he said.

Mr Putin put forward a constructive initiative that, if implemented, may bring our relations with the United States in the strategic stability sphere to a new level of strategic partnership and cooperation, Lavrov noted.

UNI