Russia-US relations to serve the interests of people: Putin

Moscow, July 14: Stressing that Russia-US relations should serve the interests of the people, President Vladimir Putin has said the bilateral ties should be independent of current political situation in both the countries.

We cannot make our relations with the United States dependent on the current situation, including elections in Russia and the US, Mr Putin said yesterday at the first meeting of a new Russia-US public working group 'Russia-US: A Look into the Future' at his Novo-Ogaryovo presidential residence outside Moscow.

The group, led by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger besides having former foreign ministers, diplomats and parliamentarians as members, said it was a successful beginning to a series of high-level meetings.

It will draft recommendations on global issues such as world economy, energy and non-proliferation for the Russian and US administrations.

Mr Putin urged universal understanding of the importance of Russia-US relations for the benefit of both countries and the world at large.

''There should be national consensus concerning bilateral contacts in Russia and the United States, and a large majority of citizens should realise their importance for both nations and the solution of global problems,'' he said.

The Russian leader also expressed the hope that the group would promote understanding between the two countries.

''I hope your ideas would not be stockpiled at foreign political departments, but contribute to the development of practical policies,'' Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as saying.

''We discussed many issues. Our goal was not to get media coverage, score public relations points, or press home any propaganda messages. We came here to solve problems,'' Mr Primakov said.

He said the group agreed to hold the next meeting in mid-December in Washington, where the panelists will meet with the US President George W Bush.

Mr Kissinger thanked Mr Putin for his hospitality and praised him for his realistic and open approach.

''We appreciate the time that President Putin gave us and the frank manner in which he explained his point of view,'' the former Secretary of State said.

Replying on whether US unilateral interventionism was on the agenda, Mr Kissinger said ''Nuclear proliferation'' and ''nuclear threats'' rather than US policies were the biggest dangers to world peace.

''I do not think that US expansion is a problem of the period.

The problem of the period is how to avoid nuclear conflict and in this case we believe that Russia and America should have common objectives,'' he said.

UNI

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