Shoigu's Latin American tour aims to strengthen regional stability - Russian Defense Ministry
MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's official visits to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba were scheduled in advance and reflect the Russian leadership's consistent policy to strengthen regional stability, said Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov.
"Importantly, the visits were scheduled in advance. They were not extraordinary and were not connected with Europe's and the United States' sanctions, either," Antonov told Interfax-AVN on Sunday, summing up the results of Shoigu's Latin American tour.
"Many keep saying today, that Russia has just started dealing with problems of Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. We have always attached great importance to broadening dialogue with Latin America. The Russian defense minister has paid official visits to this region twice over the past two years. Our dealings with Latin America are not of momentary nature, but reflect the Russian leadership's consistent course to strengthen regional stability and assist the regional states' effort to build their armed forces," he said.
"The Russian Defense Ministry welcomes Latin American countries' steps to promote socioeconomic development. We are also convinced that if further progress is to be made in this area, strong and reliable armed forces must be built. This involves efforts to raise a reliable shield against obstructionist, terrorist and other subversive forces active in the region, not, of course, to militarize the regional countries' economies," Antonov also said.
During Shoigu's official visits much attention was given to an assessment of regional problems that have cropped up lately, he said. "Against the backdrop of new challenges and threats old problems sharpen, including territorial disputes and political contradictions," Antonov said.
