RUSSIAN, IRANIAN DEFENSE MINISTERS TO DISCUSS CENTRAL ASIAN SETUP








MOSCOW, MARCH 12, 2001. /RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT/. The military-political situation in Central Asia will be in focus of the negotiations on March 14 between the Russian and Iranian Defense Ministers, Igor Sergeev and Ali Shamkhani. This was reported at a press conference by Leonid Ivashov, chief of the main department for international military cooperation at the Russian Defense Ministry.


	In his estimate, the situation in the region is extremely unstable. Ivashov said that Russia and Iran assumed similar positions on the issue of Afghanistan settlement. Also, the interests of Russia and Iran coincide in the Transcaucasian and Caspian regions. In addition, the two countries share identical positions regarding the policy of the United States, which is directed towards building a unipolar world.


	Ivashov said that the theme of military and military-political cooperation between Russia and Iran will also be an item of the talks between the two defense ministers. Russia and Iran exchange delegations of different levels. Iranian specialists are trained at Russian educational institutions. Consultations and exchange of opinion in the field of military development have been arranged.


	Within the framework of military-technical cooperation matters of military shipments will be also under discussion. Ivashov said that Iran is an "interesting region" to Russia with regard to military supplies. But, Ivashov stressed that Russia's arms-supply policy is subject to its national interest. (nov/nog)