Romania has begun talks with the United States on hosting elements of the European missile defense network planned by the Obama administration, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday (see GSN, May 12).

The Obama administration replaced its predecessor's plan for a European missile shield with a multiyear program to deploy sea- and land-based Standard Missile 3 interceptors around the continent as a defense against Iranian short- and medium-range missiles. Romania expressed interest in February in hosting some of the defenses.

"I am happy to announce the formal start of negotiations on Romania's participation in the U.S. antimissile defense system in Europe," Romanian Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu said at a news conference.

The sides would conduct an additional round of talks in roughly two months, the official stated.

"I am here today with the U.S. delegation to conduct consultations with our Romanian government counterpart on security issues of mutual interest including work on an agreement to station U.S. missile defense assets in Romania," U.S. Undersecretary of State Ellen Tauscher said.

"We look forward to working together to enhance European security and strengthen our partnership," Tauscher said (Agence France-Presse/Google News, June 17).