The Polish and US governments are adding the final touches to conditions related to a possible missile shield in Poland.

The two governments have scheduled talks about the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in Warsaw on October 19-20.

The agreement will specify the conditions under which American soldiers will be allowed to reside in Poland.

The Polish government insists that American soldiers pay taxes while residing in Poland. The agreement also states that American troops will be governed by the Polish law if they commit a crime outside of their military competence.

The construction of the shield will cost substantially less than previously estimated. According to the latest calculations, the cost of one SM-3 battery, designed on the basis of the missile shield system, should cost $10 (zł.28.24) million instead of $70 (zł.197.63) million.

The latter estimate was proposed by the US government during the presidency of George W Bush.

In line with the agreement, the construction of the battery will commence in 2014 and should take only a year to complete.

Sources: Dziennik Gazeta Prawna