Russia-China cooperation important cornerstone of world stability, says Putin

08:07, October 14, 2009

Russia-China cooperation is one of the most important cornerstones of the world stability, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Tuesday.

Putin told Chinese press that such cooperation played important role in solving series of international sensitive issues and in safeguarding world peace and development.

Both Russia and China adhere to peaceful foreign policy, and the two nations do not drift into overseas war or station overseas troops, he noted.

"Our coordination on major international issues helps some impulsive countries keep calm," Putin said, adding that some important issues, such as the environmental protection, would not be solved at all without Russia-China agreement.

Putin said his country is fully aware of this situation, and values the cooperation with China.

"We are satisfied with our cooperation in the international arena in recent years," he said.

The UN Security Council is a major platform for the two nations to conduct international cooperation. Russia and China, both as permanent members of the Security Council, have made great efforts to jointly safeguard world security, he noted.

Putin also hailed the function of other cooperation platforms for solving various kinds of problems, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the recent Group of 20 industrialized nations (G20), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The SCO groups China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Mongolia, India, Iran and Pakistan are observers of the regional organization.

The SCO has witnessed sound operation since it was established in 2001. It has become a comprehensive and influential organization and is respected by the international society. Many countries hope to join it, Putin said.

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Putin arrived here Monday evening for a 3-day official visit, the first official visit to China since he took office as prime minister in May last year.

Putin will also attend the eighth prime ministers' meeting of the SCO member states.

Source: Xinhua