ROME, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema Thursday criticized the United States for failing to consult NATO over its controversial plans to deploy a missile defence system in Central Europe, Italian ANSA news agency reported.

    "We have asked that the issue be discussed by the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) and find it irregular and a source of uneasiness that this project has matured within the context of bilateral ties between the United States and certain European countries," D'Alema said on the sidelines of a conference on nuclear proliferation.

    The United States plans to place interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic to protect the United States and Europe against what it terms "rogue states."

    The project has caused soaring tensions between Russia and the United States.

    D'Alema, who also serves as deputy premier in Premier Romano Prodi's centre-left government, stressed that Italy was "not in principle against the idea of anti-missile protection systems to deal with the risk of threats that can come from countries with aggressive policies."

    But he added, "The problem is that decisions of this sort have to develop within the framework of existing alliances and international partnerships."

    The former premier said the sidelining of the 26-member NATO group had "created a climate of concern, tension and doubt" which risked "fuelling a new arms race."

    "The best way for the United States to deal with the differences of opinion is to discuss them," he said.

    D'Alema said he hoped for "positive developments" on the issue at the ongoing Group of Eight summit in Germany.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened last week to aim Russian missiles at Europe if the shield project goes ahead.

    But U.S. President George W. Bush insists that it is a purely defensive measure.