CANNES, November 3 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that Russian-Chinese relations are at an "excellent level." In the course of the meeting with China's President Hu Jintao, the head of the Russian state noted that before their talks, the two leaders attended a session in the BRICS format.
"Indeed, we discussed the euro zone difficulties and the necessity to work out BRICS' consolidated position," Medvedev said, "now, in the course of the bilateral meeting, there is an opportunity to address Russian-Chinese relations, which are at an "excellent level".
For his part, Hu noted that the meeting "gives the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest." He mentioned the BRICS session saying the leaders of these states had already exchanged their opinions about "the world economic situation and the issues related to Europe's debt crises."
"Now we could exchange views over other issues, in particular bilateral ones," the Chinese president said.
Earlier, Sergei Prikhodko, an aide to the Russian president, told reporters that "we try to meet with Chinese partners at each large international event."
"In Cannes, we plan to discuss joint celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the friendship and cooperation treaty, trade and economic and humanitarian interaction. It will be the third top-level meeting this year. Russian-Chinese relations have been developing dynamically. The strategic interaction between the two countries is an important stabilizing factor in world politics and economy.
"The Russian-Chinese interaction in trade and economic sphere has been expanding stably. Two-way trade is expected to exceed a record high figure of 70 billion dollars this year. The sides intend to continue to diversify bilateral trade and economic ties, by strengthening their high-tech component," Dvorkovich said.
Medvedev and Hu will exchange their views of the current situation in the world economy and finance, and coordinate their approaches toward reforming the world economic architecture.
"Russia and China cooperate productively within international forums, and support each other's initiatives in the G-20, APEC, and SCO," Medvedev's aide said.
"Developing and intensifying interaction in pressing international problems is an important foreign policy priority both for Russia and China. It is planned that the two leaders will discuss the situation in central Asia, cooperation in the Middle East settlement, and the situation in North Africa and certain countries of that region. Of course, the Korean nuclear program will be discussed," Prikhodko underlined.