Russian deputy Premier, Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov went on an official visit in Sweden and Norway on October 30. Ivanov’s visit will start in Stockholm where he will meet with Sweden Prime Minister Mot Olofsson, parliamentary speaker Per Vesterberg, foreign minister Carl Bildt, and defense minister Mikael Odenberg.

 

“Broad spectrum of issues, including development of bilateral relations in military sphere, cooperation prospects of Russia, Sweden, the European Union, and NATO in sphere of European security’s strengthening, will be discussed during talks in Swedish capital,” the source stressed. According to him, Sergey Ivanov will become honorary guest at Sammarin-2006 maneuvers of Swedish naval forces. On October 31, the Russian defense minister will depart from Stockholm for Norway to meet with several representatives of the country’s military political leadership: Premier Jens Stoltenberg, defense minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen, head of parliamentary committee on defense Jan Petersen. Strengthening bilateral Russian-Norwegian military relations will become major issue at Sergey Ivanov’s talks in Oslo. Also, he will discuss crisis situations around Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East with his Norwegian partners.