Russian, Chinese FMs reaffirm determination to maintain coordination in key int'l organizations, discuss Ukraine

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Russian, Chinese FMs reaffirm determination to maintain coordination in key int'l organizations, discuss Ukraine - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. May 4 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang have discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the bilateral agenda, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"The ministers praised the dynamic development of Russian-Chinese relations amid growing geopolitical instability," the ministry said in a statement, following a meeting between the two ministers on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) ministerial conference in India.

Lavrov and Qin discussed implementing agreements reached between the Russian and Chinese leaders in Moscow on March 20-21, it said.

"The parties considered a number of current issues in the bilateral agenda, including individual cooperation projects in practical areas. The two foreign policy chiefs exchanged their assessments of the current state of and prospects for the continued development of the SCO's activities. The ministers welcomed collective efforts by the SCO's member states to promote peace and stability in Eurasia, and acknowledged the organization's growing influence in global affairs and key significance in the regional security architecture," the ministry said.

Lavrov and Qin "reaffirmed their mutual determination to ramp up coordination in the UN, the SCO, BRICS, RIC, the G20, and other key international organizations and dialogue mechanisms. They discussed a number of pressing issues, including efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis," the ministry said.

The parties also had "a candid exchange of opinions on relevant international problems, emphasizing the state of affairs in the Asia-Pacific region in the context of the more active steps being taken by non-regional players to set up various narrow blocs, which are disrupting the system of security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region centered on ASEAN," it said.