Russia, Greece ink military cooperation dealDecember 4, 2013 - 09:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia and Greece signed an intergovernmental agreement Tuesday, December 3 on military cooperation, Russia's defense minister said, according to RIA Novosti. "We signed an agreement that opens new frameworks and new boundaries for our further work in the sphere of military-technical cooperation," Sergei Shoigu told journalists after talks with his Greek counterpart Dimitrios Avramopoulos in Athens. The deal concerns armaments supplied previously as well as military hardware, maintenance and new hardware supplies, Shoigu said. A Russian deputy defense minister, Anatoly Antonov, said after the talks that Shoigu had proposed that Avramopoulos consider working out an agreement to streamline the procedure for Russian navy vessels calling at Greek ports. Antonov said the two defense ministers had also discussed the possibility of holding personnel training events and exchanging experience in the fight against terrorism and piracy, as well as other areas of cooperation. He added that Shoigu had invited a Greek tank crew to take part in the international Tank Biathlon in 2014. Russia's first tank biathlon took place in the Moscow Region in August. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |