MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax-AVN) - The development of the Joint Russian-Belarussian Regional Air Defense System has entered the final stage, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Lieutenant General Aitech Bizhev said.
"We have reached the homestretch. The necessary basis has been established," Bizhev said.
According to him, arguments pertained to certain provisions of the treaty, concerning employment of assets. "These issues will be settled in the near future," he said.
Commenting on the date of signing the agreement on establishing the Joint Regional Air Defense System, he noted that it would be signed in the near future, but the exact date depended on the decision of top authorities. "I do not think political authorities try to interfere with the process. I believe it is delayed for technical reasons," he stressed.
According to him, among other things, the delay has been caused by the necessity to prepare official ceremonies, which have to be coordinated.
Bizhev emphasized that air force and air defense forces commanders of CIS Joint Air Defense member-states had recently met in Yerevan. Moscow and Belarus used the chance to discuss every issue pertaining to signing the agreement. "There are no contradictions. Moreover, Central Asia is willing to do so. The North Caucasus will follow suit, after Russia and Belarus have paved the way," he said.
According to Bizhev, the agreement will be signed by the Russian Air Force Commander-in-Chief and the Belarussian Air Force and Air Defense Forces Commander.