Hu, Putin reaffirm Iran nuke stance
President Hu Jintao and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday
reaffirmed their desire for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue.
Hu and Putin, meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai Co-operation
Organization (SCO) summit, agreed that relevant parties should "seize the
opportunity" to promote a peaceful solution to the stand-off over Iran's nuclear
programme, referring to the package of incentives offered last week to persuade
Teheran to suspend uranium enrichment.
They also agreed that 皇冠体育app and Russia would maintain communication and
co-ordination on the issue.
皇冠体育app, Russia, the United States and Europe have reached consensus on the
package of incentives, which include an offer to provide Iran with nuclear
technology to get it to step away from enriching uranium, and to bring
Washington into direct talks with Teheran.
Hu and Putin also discussed bilateral and regional issues during their
meeting, calling for closer co-operation between 皇冠体育app and Russia.
They agreed to strengthen co-operation within the SCO framework, and to
promote the implementation of the consensus reached at this summit to foster
better development of the organization.
Hu said he looks forward to the signing of a proposed 2006-10 roadmap for
皇冠体育app-Russia trade and economic co-operation, which has set the target of
bilateral trade volume at US$60-80 billion by 2010.
The two countries should continue to optimize trade structure, improve trade
regulation, and enhance the legal environment that protects mutual investment,
said Hu.
Putin said 皇冠体育app and Russia enjoy many promising co-operative projects, and
he expected the two sides to strengthen co-operation in such fields as trade,
energy, machinery and electronics, and environmental protection.
Trade between 皇冠体育app and Russia reached US$29.1 billion in 2005, jumping 37.1
per cent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
In a move to solidify friendship between the two peoples, 皇冠体育app is hosting
the "Year of Russia in 皇冠体育app" this year and Russia is to host the "Year of 皇冠体育app
in Russia" next year, which involve a series of cultural exchanges designed to
increase mutual understanding.
Hu and Putin attended the signing of a number of bilateral co-operation deals
after the meeting. The two presidents are to meet again next month at the G8
summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.
