 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Clinton, Lavrov seek "fresh start" for U.S.-Russia ties |
| Geneva, 07.03.2009 |
|
| by Wu Liming, Liu Guoyuan
GENEVA, March 6 (Xinhua) In a symbolic gesture, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov a red "reset" button on Friday before their first meeting in Geneva, implying that they would seek a "fresh start" for bilateral relations.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a press conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, capital of Belgium, March 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Photo Gallery>>>
"I would like to present you with a little gift that represents what President (Barack) Obama and Vice President (Joe) Biden and I have been saying and that is, We want to reset our relationship and so we will do it together," Clinton said.
Clinton described her first talks with Lavrov as a "fresh start" in resetting relations between the former Cold War foes.
During the administration of former President George W. Bush, the White House and the Kremlin had frequent rows over some issues, further straining relations between the two countries.
When Russia sent troops into Georgia after the latter launched a sudden attack on South Ossetia to regain control over the breakaway region last August, the Bush administration tried by every means to isolate Moscow, and U.S. close ally NATO suspended ties with Russia.
Clinton said she and Lavrov had "a very productive meeting of the minds on the range of issues" expected to be broached in future talks.
Arms control was one of top priorities of their meeting, and Clinton said they agreed to try to strike a new deal by the end of this year to replace the current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
Clinton said their talks over the arms control and non-proliferation were "very practical" and "very specific," and she hoped that both sides make progress on the issue "every day."
Clinton said both sides should take the lead in global arms control, which would lay a "position" on the issue for the first meeting between Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a London summit next month.
On his part, Lavrov described as "obsolete" the current START treaty, which was due to expire at the end of this year.
"I am certain that it is fully within our powers to reach a common denominator and maybe even come out with a plus for our strategic relations on the issues of both START and missile defense," Lavrov said.
Clinton thanked Russia for allowing U.S. nonmilitary shipments to transit through its borders to Afghanistan.
"We agreed that on all questions, including those on which we have differences, we will work in the spirit of partnership, honestly and openly," Lavrov said.
Since Obama took office, the White House has signaled a willingness to improve relations with the Kremlin.
As a vital step to warm up bilateral ties, NATO announced on Thursday that it resumed official ties and contacts with Russia.
However, Clinton and Lavrov both acknowledged that they were still at odds over a number of issues including Kosovo, Georgia and Iran's nuclear issue.
Clinton suggested "frank exchanges in areas where we disagree," and Lavrov said "it would be an exaggeration to say that we agreed on everything."
On Iran's nuclear program, Clinton said the White House has not yet considered lifting sanctions against Teheran.
"We are not yet ready to discuss other options," she said.
Lavrov told the press that Russia's arms sales to Iran "do not violate any international rules."
The two diplomats also made clear their different positions over Kosovo.
Clinton said she had congratulated Kosovo leader over the "first year" of the Kosovo independence, and the United States would continue to support Kosovo in their future efforts.
Meanwhile, Lavrov warned that Kosovo's unilateral announcement of independence posed "danger" to stability in the Balkan region, adding the move did not conform to the relevant UN resolution of 1999.
U.S. invites Russia to join its missile defense plan in Eastern Europe
BRUSSELS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday invited Russia to join Washington's plan to deploy a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.
"We believe that Russia and the United States have the opportunity to cooperate on missile defense -- to do joint research and joint development. And even eventually assumingly we can reach such an agreement (on) joint deployment," Clinton told reporters in Brussels. Full story
Clinton, Lavrov differ over Kosovo
GENEVA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday voiced their different positions over Kosovo.
Speaking to a press conference after their first meeting in the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva, Clinton said she congratulated Kosovo leader over the "first year" of Kosovo independence, while Lavrov warned that Kosovo's unilateral announcement of independence posed "danger" to stability in the Balkan region. Full story
U.S., Russia intend to reach new arms control deal this year
GENEVA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Russia intend to reach a new arms control agreement by the end of this year to replace the current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II), U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said here on Friday.
Clinton and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov held talks on Friday in Geneva, and START II was on "top agenda" at the meeting. Full story
Clinton pledges to re-energize ties with Europe
BRUSSELS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday pledged that the Obama administration would re-energize the transatlantic relationship, strained during the Bush era.
"President Obama and I intend to energize the transatlantic relationship and to promote a strong European Union (EU), and more fundamentally a strong Europe," Clinton told reporters after talks with key EU officials. Full story
Official: Russia hopes for cooperation with NATO
MOSCOW, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to carry out practical cooperation with NATO on the platform of the Russia-NATO Council when confidence is restored, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"Russia and NATO members may have different views on events in Europe and the world. This is normal," spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said in a statement on results of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Full story
Editor: Mo Hong'e
odkaz na stránku |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Address : Euro-Brew Ltd., Hlboká 22, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
Tel. : +421 33 53 418 53, Fax : +421 33 53 418 52, E-mail : info@eurobrew.sk |
|
|
