GORKI, February 10 (RIA Novosti) - The ongoing financial crisis will not affect Russia's priorities in military cooperation, the Russian president said on Tuesday.

Dmitry Medvedev said regardless of the crisis, military cooperation should in fact be expanded.

He said Russian arms sales were worth $8.35 billion in 2008, up $800 million on 2007.

The president said Russia's top priority in this field was to ensure "the excellent quality of its products" and meticulously implement contractual terms and obligations.

He said another priority was to consolidate Russia's positions "on traditional markets," enter new markets and "diversify supplies."

He warned that the crisis could affect the prices of raw materials and components, but "we should be prepared for this."

Medvedev said special attention needed to be given to cooperation in unstable regions.

He specifically referred to Georgia, cooperation with which is subject to special regulations. Medvedev recently signed a decree banning exports of military products and dual-purpose technology to Georgia.

Under the document, effective through December 1, 2011, the Russian government is to develop ways to restrict military cooperation with countries supplying Russian or Soviet-made arms to Georgia.