WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–July 26, 2016 — The Department of Defense today held a video conference co-chaired by Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Elissa Slotkin and Navy Rear Adm. Michael J. Dumont, deputy director, J-5, Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff, with Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.
“This was a regular session of our dialogue with the Russian Ministry of Defense under the Memorandum of Understanding for the safety of flight in Syria to ensure that each side continues to adhere to agreed-upon measures to mitigate incidents in the air over Syria,” Cook said.
Safety of Operations
DoD officials discussed the safety of operations since the two sides last met to discuss Russian strikes at the coalition-supported site at at-Tanf, Syria, Cook said. Both sides, he said, continue to discuss and develop measures to avoid such incidents.
Cook said the two sides reiterated the need to adhere to measures to enhance operational safety and avoid accidents and misunderstandings in the air space over Syria.
Today’s meeting follows previous video conferences between the Defense Department and the Russian Ministry of Defense on this topic, Cook said.
The conversation was constructive, Cook said, and the two sides agreed to continue safety discussions in this format in the future.
Source: http://www.defense.gov
