The Czech government has officially agreed to start negotiations with the United States over the location of a radar base, which is part of a planned U.S. anti-missile shield in central Europe, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said Wednesday.

"The Czech Republic confirms that it has decided to launch the negotiations," Topolanek told a press conference.

The United States unveiled its plan in January to place a radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, as components of the missile shield. Washington has insisted that the system is designed to counter future threats from countries such as Iran.

But the move has drawn strong criticism from Russia, which warned that it could trigger an arms race and that Poland and the Czech Republic risked being targeted by Russian missiles if they agreed to the proposal.

The Czech Republic recognized the existence of security threats and the need to build a NATO anti-missile system, Topolanek said, quoting a draft note approved by the government.

Most Czechs oppose the proposed radar base, citing fears over worsened relations with Russia and a threat to national security.

Topolanek's Civic Democratic Party are in support of the proposed base, while the opposition Social Democrats and Communists are against it, and have demanded a referendum on the issue.

The prime minister said preparatory work on the radar base would be allowed to start as Prague negotiates with Washington, but no irreversible steps would be taken before the two sides strike a final deal.

Source: Xinhua