MOSCOW. May 23 (Interfax) - During a period from May 23 to 27 a group of inspectors from the United Kingdom and Romania will conduct a joint surveillance flight over Russia under the international Treaty on Open Skies, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The flight will be performed on board the Romanian (Antonov) An-30 surveillance aircraft. The aircraft and its equipment have undergone the necessary international certification, with Russian representatives also involved in the procedure," the ministry said in a press statement obtained by Interfax on Friday.
The flight will be performed according to an itinerary agreed upon with Russian specialists, who will be on board the aircraft to monitor compliance with the provisions and agreements regarding the use of surveillance equipment, the ministry said.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in 1992, became effective in 2002 and comprises 34 nations that are members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).