Minister Vondra says Russia has rejected offers to participate on missile project

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vondra said on Tuesday that Russia had so far rejected all US offers to participate in the missile shield project. Moscow has denounced the US defence plans as a threat to Russia's national security, saying that it could upset a strategic balance of forces in Europe. Recently US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Moscow with proposals that would enable the Russian's to cooperate on developing the system. Minister Vondra said Prague wanted Russia to get involved, but that it would not allow Moscow to veto the project. The Czech Republic has also heard criticism for some EU states who do not like the idea of EU member states working bilaterally on a defence project with Washington.