The European Union (EU) on Friday asked Russia and the United States to show restraint in deploying missiles or missile defense systems in Europe at least before a pan-European security framework is discussed sometime in mid 2009.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he has proposed a summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in June or July of 2009 to discuss a pan-European security framework.
"Between now and then, please no more talk about the deployment of missiles or anti-missile protection systems," Sarkozy told reporters at the EU-Russia summit.
"I agree that before a global agreement is signed on ensuring European security, we should all refrain from unilateral steps that affect security (in Europe)," Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said.
Sarkozy said he had told Medvedev about EU concerns over the Russian president's recent statement that Moscow would deploy short- and medium-range missile in Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad in response to U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Kaliningrad borders Poland and Lithuania.
Medvedev is promoting his proposals on a new security architecture for Europe. The OSCE summit will be an opportunity for Euroatlantic discussions on the proposals as the OSCE groups EU countries, Russia, the United States and Canada.
Sarkozy also said a NATO summit in April 2009 will be an opportunity for the EU to exchange views with the United States on this issue.
Source:Xinhua
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