Horizons of reserve officers’ cooperation

18 March 2011

To establish the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers (IAC), the Organizing committee was held On 18 March, 2011 in Moscow.

It was attended by the Organizing committee members — representatives of reserve officers’ organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Ukraine, Republic of Estonia and the Kingdom of Norway arrived as an observer. The event was visited by reporters from the leading mass media which informed the society on the results of the meeting. Following the results of the meeting Minutes on establishment of the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers were signed, Concept of its establishment and activity was approved.

This was preceded by serious efforts aimed at enlarging the international activities in the interests of reserve officers of different countries that has been carried out in several areas from 1997. Last October the 10th Account and Electoral conference of the National Association of Organizations of Reserve Officers (MEGAPIR) took a decision to start the association’s activities. With this end the Megapir summarized a longstanding experience of organizing a number of major arrangements in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Proposals to elaborate mechanisms of the international cooperation were sent by IAC to retired reserve officers organizations from CIS, Baltic and European states.

On October 29, 2010 the Organizing Committee initiated its activities aimed at setting up the International Advisory Council of Reserve Officers. On Russia’s behalf the association comprises Secretary of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, President of the Russian Kurchatov Research Centre Academician Evgeny Velikhov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers of the Armed Forces (MEGAPIR) Alexander Kanshin, Inspector General of the Russian Federation Defense Ministry Vladimir Mikhalkin. Anatoly Kumakhov was appointed Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee — coordinator of international programmes of «Megapir».

Above all, the International Advisory Council is set up to develop cooperation and make use of potential of reserve officers and veterans of different countries in the common interests. As often they face they face similar problems sharing at this common views. The success of project is promoted by the fact that reserve officers is the most organized and educated layer of society with high moral and ethical values, they are capable of having influence on social processes, rapid finding of mutual understanding and bringing into practice of varied ideas.

Almost all association and unions of reserve officers render support to the military, veterans and their families, promote the adaptation of the servicemen leaving the service for reserve, take an active part in cultural, intellectual processes, military and historic researches as well as in work with the youth and business circles. Evidently, the international cooperation along with exchange of experience in the fields will facilitate the development of confidence among countries, becoming a vital branch of the «people’s diplomacy» .

Herewith, it is should be noted the International Advisory Council of Reserve Officers is a volunteer non — commercial body, which has ruled out any political activities and interference in working procedures of other organizations and countries, organizations of which will become members of IAC.

«Reserve officers is a pillar of a country’s civil society. Their alliance will promote friendship and mutual understanding in the world. Reserve officers’ potential could be in high demand while fighting against any emergency situations like the dramatic event which struck Japan. I believe many Russian scientists experienced in the field of nuclear security would voice their willingness to render assistance to Japan working on behalf of the civil society. This for the most part concerns military specialists involved in response to the Chernobyl disaster. It should be mentioned that participants of the Organizing Committee observed a minute of silence paying respects to casualties of the Japanese disaster, " Evgeny Velikhov said at the Organizing Committee meeting.

Alexander Kanshin drew attention of the Organizing Committee members by stating that «associations of reserve officers have a good deal in common but there are still differences in terms of legislation, regulatory and legal framework and international law," he said." That is why the underlying principle of IAC is self — sufficiency and a right to define one’s position as well as non — interference in political activities of any of the states represented. We have been carrying out consultations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the US and some Asian and African states. «

«I believe it an import move to start the work," chief of the «Megapir» noted. He thanked the participants of the meeting for support of the initiative to set up the International Advisory Council and their proposals which were taken into account in the final documents. Alexander Kanshin also said that the first meeting would be held in Moscow on 15 June.

In his report Anatoly Kumakhov reminded that «the Council by its nature is a volunteer establishment having no burden of a cumbersome charter or strict financial obligations. Rights and responsibilities of the body derive from the authorities given by the participating organizations." According to Anatoly Kumakhov, activities of the International Advisory Council will be based on a spiritual strengthening of friendship and cooperation, mutual assistance and understanding supported by a spiritual identity of reserve officers. IAC activities are of particular importance given the current threats and challenges.

«The cooperation of the participating members will have the following areas: consultations and exchange of opinions, promotion of humanitarian ties between reserve officers of different countries, friendly and charitable attitude to veterans of the Armed Forces and military service on behalf of society, cooperation in the field of military culture and common human values mutual enhancement, mutual respect and friendly attitude to the youth, its spiritual and moral education, promotion of social adaptation of retiring reserve officers and creation of conditions for their economic, social, creative and other activities," he said.

«The association of reserve officers at the international level will become an example of equal and mutually advantageous cooperation of various countries in the interests of the citizens," Republican Council of Veterans of Azerbaijan delegate Kamal Aliev stated. «It is not mutual understanding and common interests that unite reserve officers but sincere love for the motherland and the people," Union of Veterans of the Republic of Armenia delegate Ruben Bahshyan said. «The work on widening of the international cooperation of reserve officers must be developed still further where Russia’s Association of «Megapir» is a generator supplying energy to us for achieving goals," Council of Belarus Public Association of Veterans representative Vasily Kozak said. Head of the Public Association of «Reserve Officers’ Union of the Republic Kazakhstan» Kupesbay Jampiisov pointed out great importance of the association of reserve officers of different countries in efforts for peace, global security, succession of traditions and generations.

On behalf Organization of Veterans of War, Labor, Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic Karavay Asanaliev suggested that all those present should attentively analyze the results of the meeting, inform in detail reserve officers of their own countries and give them the floor to express their opinion and initiatives on the topic. Coordination Council of the Latvian Association of Antihitlerite Coalition Fighters representative Vladimir Tarnovsky said that «it is important to achieve new goals, to continue activities in the interests of reserve officers of our countries." According to the delegate of the Slovak Club of Generals Tibor Gaplovski, at the meeting held on 18 March the participants laid a necessary regulatory basis for further effective joint cooperation. A representative of the Council of Organizations of Veterans of the Republic of Tajikistan Valli Saerabekov said the «the role of reserve officers in combating the basis of the international terrorism, extremism and other global challenges to humanity is invaluable.»

«We, as reserve officers, have a lot to learn from each other in the interests of our states," Officer’s Honour — Ukraine» Association delegate Vladimir Pavlovky said. The delegates from the Baltic states attached great attention to preservation of the historic truth on World War II and restraint of its falsification. Delegates from the Norwegian Association of Reserve Officers told activities of their organization and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation with foreign colleagues.

Summarizing the meeting, Alexander Kanshin awarded the participants of the Council certificates and pennons of organizations of reserve officers — participants of the International Advisory Council. The guests were decorated with Officer’s Valour medals of the third class.

Evgeny Vekikhov decorated Vasily Kozak with a diploma and a mark of the «Public appreciation» Forum for active work on developing friendship between Russia and a union state of Belarus.

Remarkably, in the business — centre hall the foreign guests got acquainted with a photo exhibition, production of the «Megapir» Publishing House and the «Megapirfilm» television studio, mass media materials, the association’s museum, which reflect to the full extent the history and comprehensive character of our organization’s activities. They also visited the «Dariya — Strogino» trade centre built and run by the «Megapir» Group of Companies mostly employing reserve officers.

Our colleagues were shown the Officer Alloy movie and Alexnder Kanshin’s video statement at the conference on the population employment which was held by President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.

At the end of the meeting Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the «Megapir» Association on economics Alexander Alekseev told the delegates from Norway and Slovakia about activities of reserve officers in various businesses as well as some projects of the «Megapir» Group of Companies.