Speaking to European parliamentarians at the meeting that took place in the Russian State Duma on Friday, Ivashov stated the main points of these proposals and said that "NATO, the European Union and other countries" are expressing corresponding interest in these proposals.

The Russian Defense Ministry representative outlined three stages connected with the possible development of the European missile defense system.

First it is necessary to conduct "a universal expert estimation of the presence and nature, or absence, of a missile threat" to Europe; i.e., "there is a need for universal monitoring," he said.

At the second stage, "if experts come to the conclusion that threats exist or may arise in the future," a decision on the formation of a European missile defense system should be made, the general said.

He believes that when designing such a system one should conduct "the corresponding research and determine the objects and directions from which the missile threat may come," and also determine which objects "can be protected."

"Today, there is no need to cover all of Europe with a [missile] shield, and it is probably not possible, either," Ivashov said. This is the reason why it is important to determine the main areas that may be vulnerable to a missile threat that will be protected by this shield.

"This shield can also be used for protecting all peacekeeping contingents operating on European territory, he said.

The Russian Defense Ministry representative did not speak about the third stage of possible deployment of the European missile defense system, making it clear that one should first make a firm decision on the first two.

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