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SERGEI IVANOV ON RUSSIA-NATO RELATIONS

RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, February 22 (RIA Novosti) - A unique historical situation has now shaped up in Russia. In essence, the Russian army is not fighting anywhere at this stage. We must use this time for overhauling our Armed Forces and for reducing their numerical strength. Russia needs a 1,000,000-strong army.

This was disclosed to Izvestia by Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.

Commenting on the present-day level of Russia-NATO relations, the Defense Minister noted that such relations were marked by greater trust. About 100 joint exercises have been conducted over the last three years, becoming an important element of Russia-NATO relations. This is very important from the psychological standpoint because the mindset of Russian and NATO servicemen keeps changing, Ivanov stressed.

Progress in the nuclear security sphere is yet another cooperation aspect. It was impossible to imagine just a few years ago that Russia would cooperate with NATO countries in this field, Ivanov stressed, reminding Izvestia that such exercises will be held in the United States this April.

The sides also pay attention to interoperability issues. This is an extremely important aspect in the context of coping with joint threats, the terrorist threat included. Joint peacekeeping operations which seem possible in the near future must comply with all Russian political interests and laws. The Russian army's technical levels will facilitate such operations already in 2006.

Talking about military-technical cooperation with other countries, Ivanov stressed that India and China which were Russia's leading partners will retain this status in the foreseeable future. Russia will receive new clients, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Venezuela. Military-technical cooperation is marked by tough competition; and we must defend our interests accordingly, Ivanov added.

At the same time, Ivanov assured Izvestia that Moscow will not supply man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Syria. The same can be said of Iskander shorter-range missiles that can destabilize the regional situation.

Russia has no intention of selling everything to any prospective client. Moscow has flatly refused to sell its weapons to many of its partners, Ivanov noted in conclusion.