Belarus, Russia adopt defense industrial cooperation action plan

      Belarus and Russia signed an action plan in Minsk to intensify cooperation between the defense industrial complexes of the two countries for 2012-2015.
      The document was adopted following the meeting of the Belarus-Russia defense industrial cooperation taskforce. The program was approved and inked by First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government Dmitry Rogozin.
      According to Vladimir Semashko, the program is a joint action plan for integration of the military industrial complexes of Belarus and Russia. Vladimir Semashko views the documents as intermediate in bilateral cooperation. There are certain restraints in the work of the military industrial complexes of Belarus and Russia. Legal framework needs to be polished for their removal. The sides intend to boost cooperation through creation of joint ventures. Belarus and Russia are also set to intensify research and development and step up work on joint programs within the framework of the Union State. 
     Vladimir Semashko said he was satisfied with the results of the meeting of the working group in Minsk. He stressed that the sides will meet semi-annually to compare the notes and discuss the status of implementation of the agreements reached.