NATO, Russia Make No Progress on Missile Defense Row

NATO and Russia said Wednesday they had made no progress in settling sharp differences over a planned missile defense system for Europe but pledged to continue efforts to resolve the row.

"It is no secret that we have not yet found the way to work together on missile defense," NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after a meeting of the NATO-Russia council.

"However, ministerial discussions are valuable in addressing existing concerns and we need to continue to engage frankly and directly to overcome our differences."

Moscow fears that U.S.-led plans for a missile defense system against attacks from outside Europe -- taken to mean from Iran or terrorist groups -- compromise its security.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the point again on Wednesday.

"We failed to work cooperatively on this issue and Russian concerns are not being (taken into account)," Shoigu told a news conference after the meeting.

"Before studying missile defense projects, we want to have assurances that this U.S. missile defense system is not against Russia," he added.

At the same time, Shoigu said Russia would continue efforts to resolve the issue, praising the work of the NATO-Russia Council in promoting cooperation on shared concerns such as counter-terrorism and transparency in military exercises.

Rasmussen also highlighted such areas of cooperation as he chaired a regular meeting of all 28 NATO member defense ministers.

U.S. missile plans in Europe have long been a sore point for Russia which charges that the missile shield is designed to reduce the deterrent effect of Moscow's arsenal and thus alter the balance of power on the continent.