President Hu Jintao met Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the two leaders discussed the development of bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership and other major issues of common concern.

 

The two presidents, who are at the UN headquarters in New York to attend the UN summit on the 60th anniversary of its establishment, reviewed the sound development of bilateral relations and cooperation.

 

Hu said China will work with Russia to expand cooperation in various fields while Putin said his country treasures cooperation with China.

 

Hu suggested the two sides work out cooperative plans and measures in key areas and on major projects to ensure progress in big projects concerning energy, investment and high-tech.

 

Hu said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will celebrate its 5th anniversary of establishment next year, and member states can consider concrete measures on pushing forward security and economic cooperation and try to expand the organization's role in safeguarding regional stability and promoting common development.

 

Putin spoke highly of the cooperation among the SCO's member states and said Russia will make preparations for the SCO summit scheduled for next year in China.

 

The two presidents agreed that both countries will work with other parties to achieve new progress in the ongoing six-party talks aimed at resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

 

They also voiced support for a resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations.

 

The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and coordination on the UN reform.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2005)