Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov will discuss military cooperation with France, a ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Lt. Col. Irina Kovalchuk said Serdyukov had left for France earlier on Monday to attend the ninth session of the Russian-French Security Cooperation Council.

On Tuesday, the Russian and French defense and foreign minister will discuss nonproliferation, emergency response procedures, and regional issues.

Serdyukov will also meet with French Defense Minister Herve Morin to discuss bilateral military cooperation.

A highly-placed source in the Russian Defense Ministry said the two officials will discuss the purchase of French Mistral-class amphibious assault ships.

Russian ambassador to France Alexander Orlov said on Friday Russia would make a final decision on whether to buy a French Mistral-class warship by the end of the year.

Russia is holding talks with France on the purchase of Mistral-class warships on a 2+2 scheme whereby Russia will buy one or two French-built Mistrals and build another two under a license.

MOSCOW, September 6 (RIA Novosti)