Defence ties between Fiji and Russia has been strengthened with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), in a recent visit, says Minister for Immigration, National Security and Defence Timoci Natuva.

When asked to elaborate further on the trip he said he had already made a release to the Fiji Sun and it was already printed.

Mr Natuva attended the VII International Meeting of High-Level Officials Responsible for Security Matters in Grozny, Chechen Republic, Russia on Monday, May 23-25, 2016.

The MOU was signed between the executive office of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and the Fiji’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, May 25, 2016.

Mr Natuva also had a closed bilateral meeting with the secretary-general of the National Security Council of Russia, Nikolai Patrushev.

Fiji established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union on January 30, 1974 and on February 8, 2010 Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga presented his credentials to the then Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

Meanwhile when asked about the troops in Sina, he said they were in a hotel paid by the Multinational Force of Observers (MFO).

He confirmed they were returning to the country.

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

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