Meeting with Defense Minister

15 November 2011

On November 15, 2011 Chairman of the Board of Directors of the «Megapir» Association, member of the Russian Federation Public Chamber, Deputy of the Russian Defense Ministry Public Council Alexander Kanshin attended the meeting of Defense Minister Anatoly Serdukov with members of the Public Council attached to the military department.

In the course of the meeting Alexander Kanshin said that it was of vital importance to enhance spiritual and moral basis of the military service as well as its prestige and that society should alter the attitude towards its defenders.

He also briefed the leadership of the Defense Ministry a nd members of the Public Council on the establishment of the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers now presided over by the National Association of Unions of Reserve Officers of the Armed Forces (MEGAPIR) and highlighted the importance of cooperation development among reserve officers and veterans of the military service of different countries. Alexander Kanshin was reported as saying «despite next year’s significant increase in retirement payments, Russia is still lagging behind a number of Western states and even CIS countries, in particular Azerbaijan».

As regards the increase of the allowance he noted it was necessary to continue the development of the moral and finance incentive schemes for all categories of the military. «Bringing into life of the Defense minister military order № 400 has faced a lot of criticism»- Alexander Kanshin pointed out.

Representatives of the Defense department along with other participants of the meeting agreed with the proposals.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of the General Staff general of the Armed Forces — first deputy of the Russian Federation Defense Minister Army general Nikolay Makarov and the Secretary of State — Deputy Defense Minister of the Russian Federation Nikolay Pankov as well as other officials of the military department.