Russia's participation in European rapid reaction force will be examined in St. Petersburg

Russia's participation in the creation of a European rapid reaction force will be examined during the negotiations between the Defence Ministers of Russia and Germany held as part of the Russian-German top-level consultations in St. Petersburg. RIA Novosti learned this from sources in the Russian delegation. Speaking of the specific issues of the bilateral relations in the military sphere, the source noted that during the negotiations the sides will examine the participation of Russia and Germany in the up-grading of MiG-29 fighters in Bulgaria, the tender for which was won by Russia and the FRG. The source said that during the talks the sides will deal with the preservation of the 1972 ABM Treaty and the United States' plans to create an NMD system, as well as NATO's expansion by adding the Baltic countries. The source noted that Russia and Germany will continue to "check up their stands on issues of reciprocal interest." The source believes that no serious breakthroughs are expected in the course of the consultations of the Defence Minsters of the two countries.

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