Meeting between Russian and Norwegian Defence Ministers

The Russian and Norwegian Defence Ministers intend to focus on confidence in their bilateral relationship, said the heads of the countries' Defence Ministries at a joint press conference.

"Confidence is a key factor of any bilateral cooperation and ours as well," said Norwegian Defence Minister Kristin Krohn Devold.

She also stressed that the Defence Ministries of both countries intended to make contacts at all levels - from cadet to admiral ones, in order to "get to know each other better in the military sphere".

The Norwegian Defence Minister stressed that during the negotiations with her Russian counterpart she had come to the conclusion: "We have more similarities than differences". She also said that the Ministries had a number of joint projects and announced her intention to pay a visit to Russia.

The countries' bilateral cooperation and cooperation between Russia and the NATO within the "twenty" framework, problems of military construction in Russia and Norway as well as international security, combating terrorism and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction were on the agenda of the meeting, said Sergei Ivanov.

Sergei Ivanov also said that Russia took interest in military construction experience of Norway, where they have both contract and usual military service.

During the conversation with the Norwegian military head the Minister also touched upon the Kaliningrad issue (Russia's enclave in the Baltic), Ivanov said.

"Unhindered communication with the Kaliningrad region has "a political aspect" for Russia, which is "besides connected with the human rights issue", the Minister stressed.