Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov grateful to Tatarstan

Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov, who visited Kazan on December 5, called Tatarstan an island of stability, where they did not pursue short-term interests, but always thought of the future. The republican incomes were invested in the development of industry. The republic boasts many high-tech defense enterprises first of all in the field of aircraft, space, optics.

S.Ivanov visited Kazan Aviation Production Association - perhaps the only enterprise in Russia producing engineering for distant aircraft. There he also saw the exhibition of defensive products of optico-mechanical factory, other Tatarstan enterprises.

At the meeting in the Kazan Kremlin, the Russian Defense Minister expressed gratitude to the President of Tatarstan for thoughtful attitude to the military-industrial complex, which determines scientific and technical progress and the image of a state.

While in Kazan, S.Ivanov commented upon the frame agreement signed December 5 in Bonn, providing for the creation of the provisional government in Afghanistan. S.Ivanov named it "a mirror reflection of Russia's position". Russia is not going to send to Afghanistan any military contingents under any flag. S.Ivanov emphasized that it does not correspond to national interests of the country. But Russia is ready to render humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and this is what Tatarstan already does.