Russian Inspectors to Conduct Observation Flight Over Spain

MOSCOW, October 5 (RIA Novosti) - Russian team of inspectors is planning to conduct an observation flight with Russian An-30B observation aircraft over the territory of Spain, said the head of the Russian National Center for Reducing Nuclear Threat, Sergei Ryzhkov.

This will be the 31st Russian observation flight over the territories of the states, parties to the Treaty on Open Skies, in 2014.

"Under the Treaty on Open Skies, the observation flight will be conducted from October 5 to 11 from the open skies airfield Getafe, with the maximum flight distance of up to 1,800 kilometers [1118 miles]," Ryzhkov said.

The Russian aircraft will follow the route, approved by the observed party, while the Spanish participants on board of the plane will monitor the use of the surveillance equipment and ensure the compliance with the terms of the treaty.

The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in 1992 in Helsinki and currently includes 34 countries. The treaty establishes a regime of unarmed aerial observation flights over the entire territory of its participants. The treaty is designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence by giving all participants a direct role in gathering information about areas of concern to them. Russia has ratified this treaty on May 26, 2001.