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Good afternoon, colleagues.

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We have a great deal of issues to discuss today. They are important.

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First of all, I would like to say that the plant where we are holding 

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this meeting has made a very good,

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serious impression on me.

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Indeed, this is a new step and a major achievement 

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in strengthening our defence industry.

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It is a new enterprise.

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Everything is well thought out and superbly organised,

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and the people here are wonderful –

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the average age is 35, they are well prepared,

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and there is constant training going on,

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because an effective training system is in place.

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As for the equipment that the plant will manufacture,

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we need it to ensure the country’s defence capability,

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because these are missile defence systems and radar stations –

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that is, systems that defend the country. That is first.

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Second. Before we start discussing the issues on our agenda,

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I would like to revisit a well-known issue –

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the liberation of the Syrian city of Palmyra by the Syrian Army with 

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our most active support and participation.

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First of all, I would like to congratulate our service members 

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for making a serious contribution to the fight against terrorism.

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Second, there is a purely humanitarian issue –

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the mine clearing operations.

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In a telephone conversation with the Director-General of UNESCO 

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and then with the President of Syria,

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we agreed that Russia will provide assistance in clearing Palmyra,

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approach routes to Palmyra, and,

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what is especially important, the historical sites, of mines.

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I ask the Defence Minister – we have already discussed this, Mr Shoigu,

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and I know that you have already started preparations –

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after our meeting today, to report on what is planned for the near 

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future and how you intend to organise the work to clear 

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Palmyra of mines.

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Now the main question.

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We are holding the first meeting of the Commission for Military 

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Technology Cooperation with Foreign States in 2016, and to begin,

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a couple of words about last year’s results.

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I would like to note that Russia has retained its second place position 

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on the list of the world’s leading arms and military equipment 

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suppliers to global markets.

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What is more, we are well ahead of countries that come behind us.

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Russian military exports in 2015 turned out to be even bigger than we 

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planned, amounting to $14.5 billion.

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I want to note that against the backdrop of the difficult international 

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situation and economic challenges,

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domestic arms manufacturers indeed are maintaining high standards.

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Quality products manufactured at defence industry enterprises are 

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highly competitive on international markets.

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The capabilities of our arms and military equipment were convincingly 

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demonstrated in practice, in a combat situation,

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in the fight against the terrorist threat.

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The portfolio of export orders is growing steadily.

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Last year, new contracts worth over $26 billion were signed.

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We have exceeded the previous maximum level that we achieved in 2013.

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Thus, for the first time since 1992,

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the volume of the export portfolio of arms and military 

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equipment has reached $56 billion.

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Needless to say, ties with our traditional partners play 

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a major role here. These are the CIS and CSTO countries,

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as well as India, Iraq, Egypt, Vietnam, China,

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Algeria and several other states.

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At the same time, we are moving into new arms markets in Africa,

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Latin America, South Asia and the Middle East. This work must continue.

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Last year, we signed special intergovernmental military technology 

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cooperation agreements with five states.

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Russian military products were supplied to 58 countries,

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while the total number of our partners in this sphere exceeds 100.

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At the same time, military technology cooperation with European 

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countries has almost come to an end.

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That did not happen on our initiative.

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We hope that this is a temporary phenomenon.

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We are confident that it is in the interest of all countries 

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on the European continent to restore open,

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productive interaction in all areas,

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including military technology cooperation.

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Needless to say, this will enhance trust.

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Arms exhibitions both in and outside Russia should become an important 

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platform for this dialogue.

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In 2015, domestic arms manufacturers took part in more than 

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20 such events.

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Last June, the Army-2015 International Military Technology Forum took 

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place in Kubinka, Moscow Region.

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The event was for the first time held under the auspices of the Russian 

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Defence Ministry, and it was attended by delegations from 70 states.

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We must continue developing the military technology cooperation system 

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in a comprehensive manner, among other things,

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improving its regulatory and legal framework and removing 

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administrative barriers for domestic defence enterprises.

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Last year, the procedure for sending military equipment to exhibitions 

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abroad was simplified, as was the procedure for training foreign 

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military and military technology personnel.

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This year, the managing companies of what are known as integrated 

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defence industry structures will be able to apply for permission 

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to conduct independent foreign trade.

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A corresponding law will come into effect on July 1.

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We hope that such innovations will make it possible to increase exports 

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of Russian high-tech products and expand our contacts with 

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foreign states.

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Let’s discuss in depth these and other issues during our meeting today.