Gryzlov: Belarus and Russia Should Hold More Military Exercises :: Charter'97 :: News

Russian State Duma deputies have prepared a number of recommendations on further reinforcement of integration of Belarus and Russia, including the sphere of security. One of the principal issues of these recommendations is a suggestion to increase a number of joint exercises of the two states. It has been stated today in Pskov by State Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov at the 5th session of a standing seminar on the Parliamentary “union” of Belarus and Russia.

“We find it necessary to increase combat readiness and general efficiency of the regional combined force of Russia and Belarus,” the speaker said. To his mind, a practice of joint military exercises with field firing and missile launching is to be extended. Capacites of military facilities and infrastructure of Belarus should be used in that.

“We find it desirable to pay increased attention to programs of full-fledged training and skill improvement for Belarusian officers and military students in corresponding universities of Russia,” Boris Gryzlov said.

He reminded that a session of the State Duma council dedicated to the problems of the Union State took place in the beginning of 2007. Representatives of all parliamentary factions have taken part in them. As said by Barys Gryzlov, they “confirmed inalterability of the course for creation of the “union state”, and openness in interstate relations”. They also have prepared a packet of recommendations summing up the results of discussion. “In general participants supported deepening of Belarusian-Russian integration in all directions, establishing ally relations and ties at all levels so that it would meet the interests of our peoples,” Boris Gryzlov said.