Russian Deputy Defense Minister Fomin meets with defense ministers of some African countries
MOSCOW. April 25 (Interfax) - Russian Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Alexander Fomin has held a series of meetings with the defense ministers of African countries, including the defense ministers of Sudan and the Central African Republic, on the sidelines of the Moscow Conference on International Security, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
"During a meeting with Secretary General of the Defense Ministry of Sudan Lt. Gen. Gamal El-Din Omar, the sides discussed in detail the current situation in Sudan and possible ways out of the crisis. Fomin expressed support for the efforts of the Transitional Military Council of the Republic of Sudan to stabilize the situation in the country," the ministry said.
For his part, the head of Sudan's military delegation reaffirmed the Sudanese military leadership's commitment to fulfilling all of the earlier reached agreements as part of military and military-technical cooperation, it said.
Fomin also held talks with Defense Minister of the Central African Republic Marie Koyara.
"At the meeting, the sides discussed prospects of military and military-technical cooperation. The sides confirmed their intention to further bolster friendly ties between the Armed Forces of the two countries and gave a positive assessment of prompt interaction in the military sphere," the ministry said.
Having exchanged opinions on key issues of regional security in Africa, the sides "reaffirmed their readiness to further broaden their multifaceted interaction between the Defense Ministries."
At his meeting with Defense Minister of Cameroon Joseph Beti Assomo, Fomin voiced support for Cameroon's efforts to help the international community settle crises on the African continent, thanking him for the Cameroon Armed Forces' active participation in peacekeeping operations.
"The sides gave a positive assessment of bilateral military-technical interaction and outlined steps to further develop military cooperation and its regulatory groundwork," the ministry said.
At talks with Namibia's Defense Minister Penda Ndakolo, the sides also gave a positive assessment of bilateral military and military-technical interaction and discussed steps to further promote such contacts, it said.
"Fomin held a meeting with Minister of State to the President of the Republic of Guinea and Minister of National Defense Mohamed Diane on the sidelines of the conference. The parties discussed key issues concerning bilateral military cooperation and agreed to enhance interaction in military personnel training," the ministry said.
"The sides confirmed their intention to further deepen their dialogue and develop defense contacts," it said.
Fomin also met with Defense Minister of the Republic of Congo Ma. Gen. Charles Richard Mondjo. The sides reaffirmed their plans to bolster bilateral ties in all areas.
"During the meeting, the sides discussed today's state and prospects of military and military-technical cooperation between Russia and Congo," the ministry said.
Fomin also held a meeting with Madagascar's Minister of National Defense Leon Rakotonirina.