A telephone conversation took place between Dmitry Medvedev and President of the United States Barack Obama

Franchesco Miér 5 Ago - 0:14:23

A telephone conversation took place between Dmitry Medvedev and President of the United States Barack Obama

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Barack Obama on his first birthday as President of the United States of America.

Mr Obama thanked Mr Medvedev and expressed his high regard for the positive tone in communication between the presidents that has prevailed in their earlier contacts. Both sides emphasised the need to maintain trust-based relations between the presidents and their teams.

During the conversation, the presidents noted that the constructive talks during the full-format Russian-American summit in Moscow and the results that were reached there are a direct result of this trust-based relationship. This has helped change the atmosphere and tone of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The presidents exchanged views on the progress in carrying out agreements reached at the Moscow summit; in particular, they noted the need for the Russian-American Presidential Commission to begin practical work.

In discussing deadlines for developing post-start agreements, Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama agreed to give experts additional instructions to stimulate this work in order to reach substantial agreements by December of this year.

The heads of state also touched on several current international issues. In particular, the two presidents exchanged views on lessons to be learned from the Georgia crisis that took place one year ago, as well as the situation in the Middle East and Iran.

The presidents affirmed their mutual intention to continue a sincere and trust-based exchange of opinions and assessments on all issues of relevance to both sides.

Mr Medvedev and Mr Obama also discussed a schedule for communication at various levels in the near future. The conversation ended with the presidents sending heartfelt greetings to one another’s families.

The telephone conversation was initiated by the Russian side.

Earlier, the President of Russia sent the President of the United States a birthday greeting.

The message read, in part:

“I warmly recall our conversations during your visit to Russia on July 6 and 7, earlier this year. Your predisposition toward sincere dialogue, your focus on concrete results, and your readiness to make major decisions were key to the fact that our first full-format summit was so successful.

I feel that the outcomes of our meeting in Moscow allow us to talk about the prospects for building constructive cooperation between Russia and the United States based on the principles of mutual respect and taking into account one another’s interests.

Still, there is much work ahead in securing and developing bilateral agreements, in order for the positive progress in our bilateral relations to result in tangible work. I am certain that this is precisely what the citizens of our nations expect from us. I am counting on this pragmatic atmosphere to remain in our continued work together.”