Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova said the Russian fear of the launching of a U.S. radar base in the Czech Republic "pointless," local media reported on Monday.

They responded to the statement by General Vladimir Popovkin, commander of the Russian Space Forces, who said the U.S. missile defense base in Europe would be an obvious threat to Russia.

"I consider the Russian fears absurd. In my opinion, the Russians will also be able to join the missile defense system in the future," Topolanek said.

Parkanova shared his views, saying it is unnecessary for Russians to fear of the project.

"Russia knows that the system does not threaten it. Such statements are made for political and propaganda purposes," Parkanova said.

The United States planned to deploy a missile defense radar in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland. The operation is going to start in 2011 and the location of the base would be decided early this year.

U.S. officials said the system will protect its allies from missiles that could be fired from Iran or other "rogue regimes."

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said Saturday that the United States had officially asked the Czech government to start the talks on the location of the radar part of its missile defense base in the Czech Republic.

Source: Xinhua