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Germany backs US' scrap of missile shield

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-18 04:45
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The German federal government welcomes the decision of the US to scrap missile defense system in Eastern Europe, German Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday.

The move by US President Barack Obama "was a signal to all partners that the US administration was looking for a common solution," Steinmeier said.

"I'm pleased that with today's decision we now have the opportunity to hold fresh discussions with all partners on the topic of missile defense in Europe," he said.

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Steinmeier said "common responses" had to be found to tackle common threats.

Earlier on Thursday, Obama announced that Washington intended to scrap the controversial missile defense shield program in Eastern Europe.

Instead, the US planned to deploy less-complicated but "effective" systems to counter Iran's ballistic missile program, Obama told a brief news conference in the White House.