Russia, Belarus to Mull Common Air Defense System

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko will sign an agreement in the fall of 2008 on creating a common air defense system. Such an agreement was reached during a meeting between the two leaders at Medvedev's Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the Echo of Moscow radio station reported, citing Aide to the Russian leader Sergei Prikhodko.

According to Prikhodko, the accord will be signed during the next meeting of the Russia-Belarus Union State's Supreme State Council in Moscow. He also noted that at the leaders will also discuss further development of ties as part of the Union State at the meeting, including matters of deepening industrial cooperation.