§ 31. Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was discussed at his recent meeting with Russian defence officials; and if he will make a statement. [16827]
§ Mr. George RobertsonI paid a short, productive visit to Moscow on 3–4 November, where I had meetings with the Russian Defence Minister, General Sergeyev, the Secretary of the Defence Council, Dr. Kokoshin, and Foreign Minister Primakov.
Dr. Kokoshin and I agreed to develop discussions on the democratic control of defence. Foreign Minister Primakov and I exchanged views on Iraq.
The main purpose of my visit was to promote defence co-operation between the UK and Russia. General Sergeyev and I inaugurated a joint Russo-British Commission to oversee the management of defence co-operation between our countries. Among a range of bilateral issues discussed, we agreed that our navies should work towards closer co-operation in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
26WWe agreed on the value to both countries of the series of high-level British/Russian conferences on defence matters, held at Wilton Park, Sussex.
We also agreed to promote scientific co-operation between our Ministries of Defence, and that the Russians would send experts to a demining seminar in the UK next year. I took the opportunity to pass on an offer of assistance from The Royal British Legion to Russian veterans' organisations.