BERLIN (AFP) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticised the United States on its plan to station missiles for a defense shield in central Europe, in an interview which was published on Monday.

Steinmeier told the daily Handelsblatt that Washington would have been better advised to consult with all the countries that would be affected by the move, including Russia.

"One should have spoken with Russia earlier as the sites where they (the missiles) are to be stationed are edging closer to Russia," he said.

"Considering the strategic nature of such projects, I call for a prudent approach and intensive dialogue with all partners who are directly or indirectly affected."

The United States last month said it would soon begin formal talks with the Czech Republic and Poland on deploying a missile defense system in Europe, designed to intercept what it said potential attacks from Iran and North Korea.

The system calls for missiles to be deployed in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic by 2012.

Russia has strongly objected to having the missiles and radar system stationed on its doorstep, in countries which used to be part of the communist bloc.

Steinmeier said there was no indication that Iranian missiles could reach the regions where the defense system is to be stationed.

"That is not the case according to maps with the range of the missiles under current Iranian weapons technology," he said.