U.S., China, France, Russia, UK discuss strategic risks at expert level in Cairo - U.S. State Dept

WASHINGTON. June 23 (Interfax) - Foreign affairs and defense representatives of the five nuclear powers, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, held negotiations in Cairo last week to discuss ways to lower strategic risks, the U.S. Department of State reported on Friday.

"The United States organized a working-level experts meeting with counterparts from the People's Republic of China, France, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on June 13-14 in Cairo," it said.

"The experts from respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense discussed strategic risk reduction, as well as nuclear doctrines and policy," it said.

The department mentioned "the professional approach of the delegations and the inclusion of defense officials in the thematic discussions."

Later on Friday, when asked if that meeting could be testament of a possibility of a broader dialogue among the nations on the topic, the White House said that the Cairo meeting was a "routine process."

"It's routine continuing dialogue. We just happen to be the chair of this meeting," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told a briefing.

"It was a good opportunity for dialogue about nuclear safety protocols and procedures," he said.