SIMFEROPOL, March 03, 7:35 /ITAR-TASS/. A Defence Ministry of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea will be set up soon, ARC Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov told journalists on Monday.

"A new ministry, that of defence, will soon appear within the framework of Crimean Council of Ministers. I am sure that such a ministry will be essential to us. People in Crimea have shown that they can defend themselves independently," Aksyonov said at a ceremony at which the chiefs of security organizations took an oath of allegiance to the people of Crimea.

The Premier emphasized, "The new government seeks to keep peace in the autonomy and wants to be on friendly terms with all".