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PUTIN: WEAPONS TRADE SHOULD BE COORDINATED WITH FOREIGN POLICY

RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti) - Weapons trade should remain in strict compliance with Russia's foreign policy, said Vladimir Putin.

"Trade in weapons, military equipment, and ammunition is a very specific area of activities," the Russian president said at his meeting with Sergei Chemezov, the head of Rosoboronexport.

The head of state called for "closer cooperation with the Foreign Ministry."

"The relevant activities should not contradict but rather proceed in strict compliance with Russia's foreign policy," said Mr. Putin.

Mr. Chemezov, in turn, noted that Rosoboronexport invited diplomats to all its negotiations.

"We never start negotiations without inviting staffers of the embassies concerned," he said.

He also told the president that Rosoboronexport's turnover accounted for $5,120 million in 2004.

"In the past four years, we have been constantly increasing our turnover. The past two years saw it top $5 billion," said Mr. Chemezov.