Moscow discusses Czech defense minister's statement

Moscow was bewildered by the statement of the Czech defense minister, who explained Prague's military purchases by the existing threat from Russia, said the Russian foreign ministry's official spokesman, Alexander Yakovenko.

The minister's statements are "in contrast with the previous statements of the Czech prime minister and foreign minister," he said. The official Prague has repeatedly stressed that the country "views Russia as its partner and is ready to develop their relations in all spheres, including security," Yakovenko pointed out. The words of the defense minister "are contrary to the words and positions of the world's leading countries, as well as to the Russia-NATO summit in Rome," he stressed. At the summit the participants set their main task as joint counteraction to new threats on the basis of common interests.

The Czech minister's statement is "another proof that there are forces that are not interested in building a single security zone from Vancouver to Vladivostok", Yakovenko said. "I would like to hope that the Czech minister's statement does not correspond to the official position of the country," he added.