Negotiations were mostly centered on a Polish army modernization plan, Radio Poland reported Wednesday. It is reported construction of the defense shield could begin in late 2009.

Talks are nearly finished about a section of the shield to be built in the Czech Republic, the report said.

The shield project has been fiercely protested in Russia, Radio Poland noted.

Fifty-four percent of Poles oppose having the defense system in their country, data from the Center for Public Opinion Research indicates.

Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, Wednesday held a conference about the pros and cons of constructing the shield. Advocates and opponents reportedly were able to voice opinions about the system.