12-11-10 Russia ready to work with U.S. on missile shield

Russia is prepared to participate in the project for the creation of a joint missile shield with the U.S.,provided that the participating parties are all considered equal,Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists in Seoul today."This kind of cooperation is quite possible if it is based on parity in everything,starting from the assessment of potential risks," he stated.According to Lavrov,if NATO indicated that it was open for mutually beneficial cooperation,Russian President Dmitry Medvedev would explain Moscow's position at the upcoming NATO summit in Lisbon.As the minister noted,even if the joint project is carried out,it will not be directed against any country.Lavrov expressed hope that even though the parties were not looking to create a joint coordination center for the missile shield,they would reach some kind of compromise on future joint actions.Earlier,NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen suggested engaging Russia and other partners of the alliance for the creation of a missile defense system.The next NATO summit has been scheduled for November 19-20 in Lisbon.The Russian president has already announced that he would personally participate in the venue.