Finnish Defence Minister arrives in Moscow for a two-day visit

On October 21, Finnish Defence Minister Seppo Kaariainen arrives in Moscow on a two-day visit on the invitation of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov.

According to the Russian Defence Ministry's press service, the Russian Defence Minister and his Finnish counterpart will discuss the current state and the prospects of the development of bilateral relations in the military and military-technical sphere, problems of regional and international security.

Sergei Ivanov made an official visit to Finland on July 18-19, 2002. As a result, the sides signed a memorandum on mutual co-operation in the sphere of environmental protection.

According to the Finnish Defence Ministry press service, Seppo Kaariainen arrives in Moscow in the context of the Russian-Finnish agreement on military co-operation.

"The Finnish side would like to find out about the progress of the reforms in the Russian Armed Forces, and also receive information about the developments of ties between Russia and NATO," stated a source in the Finnish Defence Ministry.

The source also mentioned that "in his turn, Mr. Kaariainen is ready to inform the Russian side about the progress in the development of a new concept of the Finnish defence policy and also present his personal view on the EU's participation in solving critical situations."