MOSCOW , October 26 (Itar-Tass) — Russia and Belarus may neutralize modern challenges and threats by integrating efforts in the defense sphere, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said at a meeting of a joint collegium of the defense ministries of both countries on Wednesday.
“The latest developments in the world have shown that mobile, well-trained and equipped armed forces are very important for the protection of sovereignty,” Serdyukov said. He believes, “We are able to minimize and neutralize modern challenges and threats by integrating efforts in the defense sphere.”
“Decisions made by the joint board are an important phase in the further integration and strengthening our countries’ defense potential,” he said. “In this connection, the Republic of Belarus remains for us a reliable ally with professionally trained armed forces.”
Speaking about the session’s agenda, Serdyukov said he and his colleagues would discuss “progress in the fulfillment of programmes and plans for cooperation by both countries’ defense ministries, identify urgent tasks, and summarize the results of the Russian-Bealrussian exercise Union’s Shield-2011, which became the key event in the joint training of troops in 2011.”
Belarussian Defense Minister Yuri Zhadobin said, “the defense ministries of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus successfully fulfill their tasks and intensify bilateral military cooperation. Combat training is held regularly. This year there was the joint Union’s Shield-2011 exercise.”
“Such full-scale maneuvers were the first ones in the post- Soviet era,” he added.