Romania will not have to buy SM-3 interceptor missiles and it will not pay for the setting up or layout of the location for the missiles on Romanian soil, according to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry explained that the expenses for the implementationof the gradual-adaptive approach of the missile shield will becovered by the U.S.
"Romania will make available the location for the interceptors.Any other costs will be negotiated bilaterally," according to theministry.
Romania will be involved in phase two of the U.S. missileshield, which involves hosting the land interceptors, respectivelythe SM-3 block 1B interception missiles, which will becomeoperational come 2015.
According to the quoted source, Romania's involvement involvesthe placement of land-based interceptors alone, not radars, whichwill be hosted in other states.
Also, according to the ministry, there will not be anyinterception missiles installed on Romanian or foreign ships in theBlack Sea. These interception missiles will be placed exclusivelyon land.
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday the U.S.antimissile defense system, to which the country has agreed toparticipate, will be up and running in Romania starting 2015.
Basescu said Romania has accepted a proposition of U.S.President Barack Obama, who has invited the country, a NATO and EUmember, to participate in the development of the United States'antimissile defense system and the country will host elements ofthis system on its territory.
Basescu said Obama's message was delivered to Bucharest by theAmerican sub-secretary of state for arms control, with whom he hada meeting Thursday morning.
The Romanian head of state underscored the development of theU.S. antimissile system is not aimed at Russia.
Basescu added bilateral negotiations will follow and Romania andthe Un
