11.04.2016.

The First Session of the Serbia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Military Technical Cooperation

In the Material Resources Sector of the Ministry of Defence today, a two-day meeting of the Serbia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation has begun.

The session was opened by Minister of Defence Zoran Djordjevic and Andrey ArturovichBoytsov,First Deputy Directorof the RussianFederal Service forMilitary-Technical Cooperation,in their capacity as co-chairs of the Commission,

The opening session was attended byRussian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Vasilyevich Chepurin, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the SerbianArmedForces and companies of the Serbiandefenceindustriesand representatives of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, the Ministry of Defence and other ministries of the Russian Federation as well as representatives of the military-industrial companies and banks in the Russian Federation.

Welcoming the guests, Minister Djordjevic pointed out that due to successful implementation, besides the plenary session of the Intergovernmental Commission, the work in another two sections is to take place simultaneously to consider industrialissues and present the possibilities of the Russian companies in the field of equipping special units and upgrading and modernisation of armouredfightingvehicles.

- I expect that this session and the conclusions arising from the consideration of certain items on the agenda will define our joint action in the forthcoming period to mutual satisfaction and well-being, the Defence Ministersaid.

According to Boytsov, with setting-up of the Serbia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation comes "great responsibility".

- We have formed good teams, started a good and constructive dialogue. During the session, we will continue to strengthen the friendly relationship between the two governments and the two countries, the First Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperationsaid.

During the session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation the discussion will be held on the improvement of military-technical cooperation between the two countries through the continuation of the ongoing activities related to equipping the Serbian ArmedForces, improvement of maintenance capabilities for air platforms, setting up a Repair centre for helicopters in the Republic of Serbia, improving the Russian-madeair defence systems in the Republic of Serbia, as well as the promotion of cooperation between the defence industry companies of the two countries.

It has been planned that representatives of the Russian delegation visit scientific research institutions and the overhaul institutions of the Ministry of Defence and the SerbianArmedForces, and part of the companies of the Serbian defence industries.