Russia's Putin meets with Chinese counterpart

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting China where he has meet with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. The visit is aimed at further strengthening the key alliance between two powerful neighbors, and reaching agreement on joint activities regarding some key international issues, including the situation in Syria. Russia's Putin meets with Chinese counterpart Putin told Hu on Tuesday in Beijing that the ties between their two countries had reached "unprecedented height": "Thanks to joint efforts we raised the level of Russian-Chinese cooperation to unprecedented height and quality. The fundamental interests (of Moscow and Beijing) coincide broadly both in international and economic affairs." Russia Today reports that Hu "echoed Putin’s glowing praise", to say that he looked forward to building a “dynamic strategic relationship with Russia": "I am firmly convinced that your visit will contribute to further development of all-embracing strategic partnership and cooperation." While in China, Putin will attend the summit of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-states. The Russian leader is also set to meet with presidents of Afghanistan and Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hamid Karzai. Preparing Putin's visit to China, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the talks are planned to cover "prospects for developing economic and trade relations, cooperation in the energy sector, modernization and innovation, increasing the volume of mutual investments, industrial cooperation and inter-religious relations." Lavrov also announced that the structure of bilateral trade would be analyzed, primarily due to the increase of Russian exports to China, and that issues related to migration, environmental protection, rational use and protection of shared waters will also be raised. The result of Putin's visit to China should be the signing of a joint statement, as well as several agreements between executive authorities and commercial companies from both countries. Special attention will be devoted to joint checks of the inter-state border, the first of the kind since the demarcation line was established, as well as to the functioning of a mechanism of bilateral cooperation along the border. Lavrov emphasized two more topics: the Year of Russian Tourism in China project, and an action plan for the development of a ten-year inter-state cooperation in the humanitarian field. The foreign minister also stated that Putin's visit to China "reflects the highest level of mutual relations." When it comes to discussions that Putin will have with Ahmadinejad, they should cover the upcoming negotiations of the six powers on the Iranian nuclear issue, set to be held on June 18 and 19 in Moscow, said assistant to the Russian president, Yuri Ushakov. Uskov added that Tehran should be allowed to develop peacetime nuclear energy program under the auspices and control of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He said that Putin's conversation with Afghanistan's Karzai should be devoted to issues of security and the fight against drug production and trafficking, and that Moscow supports Afghanistan in its bid to gain observer status at the SCO. Putin's visit to Beijing will be his first trip outside of Europe since he once again took over as Russia's president last month. Vladimir Putin and Hu Jintao meet in Beijing (Beta/AP) B92 Tanjug

Russia's Putin meets with Chinese counterpart

Putin told Hu on Tuesday in Beijing that the ties between their two countries had reached "unprecedented height":

"Thanks to joint efforts we raised the level of Russian-Chinese cooperation to unprecedented height and quality. The fundamental interests (of Moscow and Beijing) coincide broadly both in international and economic affairs."

Russia Today reports that Hu "echoed Putin’s glowing praise", to say that he looked forward to building a “dynamic strategic relationship with Russia":

"I am firmly convinced that your visit will contribute to further development of all-embracing strategic partnership and cooperation."

While in China, Putin will attend the summit of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-states.

The Russian leader is also set to meet with presidents of Afghanistan and Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hamid Karzai.

Preparing Putin's visit to China, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the talks are planned to cover "prospects for developing economic and trade relations, cooperation in the energy sector, modernization and innovation, increasing the volume of mutual investments, industrial cooperation and inter-religious relations."

Lavrov also announced that the structure of bilateral trade would be analyzed, primarily due to the increase of Russian exports to China, and that issues related to migration, environmental protection, rational use and protection of shared waters will also be raised.

The result of Putin's visit to China should be the signing of a joint statement, as well as several agreements between executive authorities and commercial companies from both countries.

Special attention will be devoted to joint checks of the inter-state border, the first of the kind since the demarcation line was established, as well as to the functioning of a mechanism of bilateral cooperation along the border.

Lavrov emphasized two more topics: the Year of Russian Tourism in China project, and an action plan for the development of a ten-year inter-state cooperation in the humanitarian field.

The foreign minister also stated that Putin's visit to China "reflects the highest level of mutual relations."

When it comes to discussions that Putin will have with Ahmadinejad, they should cover the upcoming negotiations of the six powers on the Iranian nuclear issue, set to be held on June 18 and 19 in Moscow, said assistant to the Russian president, Yuri Ushakov.

Uskov added that Tehran should be allowed to develop peacetime nuclear energy program under the auspices and control of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He said that Putin's conversation with Afghanistan's Karzai should be devoted to issues of security and the fight against drug production and trafficking, and that Moscow supports Afghanistan in its bid to gain observer status at the SCO.

Putin's visit to Beijing will be his first trip outside of Europe since he once again took over as Russia's president last month.