Press review: Russia, Saudis boost cooperation and Trump's policy frustrates Palestine

Russia, Saudi Arabia to hold first meeting of joint military-technical panel by end 2017
The first meeting of an intergovernmental commission for military and technical cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia will be held by the end of 2017, Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev told Kommersant business daily on Monday. In July, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov said Russia and Saudi Arabia had signed a tentative agreement for military and technical cooperation estimated at $3.5 bln.
"By the end of this year, the first meeting of the intergovernmental commission for military and technical cooperation will be held: this is the backbone for cooperation in this area. I believe this is a vital confirmation that the Saudis have serious intentions: the intergovernmental agreement for military and technical cooperation was signed with them in 2015 and until recently the commission has not been assembled, yet now it is convening. The process is very difficult, and we have great preparations underway for it since we view Saudi Arabia as one of the most interesting countries for us in this region," Shugayev said.
He noted that intergovernmental commissions also work with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Lebanon. "We cover almost the entire region, and cooperation is strong and long-term," Shugayev emphasized.
Speaking on a major arms deal clinched during US President Donald Trump’s May visit to Saudi Arabia, to the tune of nearly $110 bln, he said this reminds him of a PR stunt. "Frankly speaking, I don’t believe that it is possible to put together such a large amount of military contracts in such a short time, and sign all of them with financial obligations and so on. This is just unrealistic," he stressed.
Shugayev also hoped that talks on a contract to supply a Russian S-400 missile system to Turkey would soon bear fruit. "This deal has practically been sealed," still we discussed not only the supply of small arms, but also a serious system, that’s why there are nuances. I am pinning great hopes on the fact that we will soon reach a positive outcome. Certainly, our friends across the ocean are frustrated, but Turkey is an independent country and can make a decision on its own whether or not to buy … This system has demonstrated its superiority over others, and this is indeed the best air defense system that currently exists," he said.

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