The United States said Tuesday it will hold talks with the European Union to set informal rules aimed at limiting debris in space that threatens satellites.

The EU already has proposed its own draft rules for operating in
space. The United States views that document as a starting point
but would like to see changes. The United States also wants other
countries involved, including Russia and China.

U.S. and EU concerns were spurred by China's move to pulverize a
disabled weather satellite in 2007. The test sent large amounts of
debris into orbit.

"The long-term sustainability of our space environment is at
serious risk from space debris and irresponsible actors,"
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement
announcing the talks.