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 Losyukov: Russia to confront US' missile defense shield plan
Tehran, May 14, IRNA

Russia-US-Losyukov
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said on Monday that Russia considers any US plan to place elements of a missile defense shield near its borders in East Europe as a factor of instability and will confront it.

Losyukov told head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Majlis Alaeddin Boroujerdi on Monday that if the problem is not solved through diplomatic channels, Russia would take a series of military measures to guarantee balance and stability, which could prompt an arms race.

Losyukov, who represents Russia in the six-party talks to solve North Korean nuclear issue, said, "Americans are using Iran or North Korea as a pretext, in fact trying to consolidate their own strategic position in the world. The issue can stir the ongoing balance and stability and Russia is fully opposing it."
Elsewhere in his remarks, Losyukov said completion of Bushehr nuclear power plant is of high importance for promoting Tehran-Moscow relations.

"Consolidation of relations with Iran is of high significance for Russia and in the meantime, Bushehr power plant has an important position and it is needed to be completed as soon as possible," he added.

He said, "Completion of Bushehr nuclear power plant is of great importance for Russia, leading to stronger ties of Russia with its highly important regional partner, Iran. Moscow is willing to contribute to more such projects in Iran. Iran is a strong and powerful partner for Russian in the region and the level of mutual cooperation should be upgraded."
The Russian official said Russia is in efforts to bolster relations with Iran in all the economic, industrial, technical and political domains.

Stressing mutual interests in the region and the world, Losyukov said expansion of Iran-Russia relations based on mutual interests can serve stability in the region.

Pointing to the US' 'defeated' Iraq policies, Losyukov said Iran and Russia share very close points of view on regional developments, especially the Iraqi crisis.

Losyukov: Russia to confront US' missile defense shield plan (http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0705148780200758.htm)