MOSCOW, July 23. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia and China have similar positions and common interest in greater stability in Europe and broader mutually beneficial cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday following consultations between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksey Meshkov and Chinese counterpart Wang Chao in Beijing.

“Particular attention was paid to pressing issues of economic and political developments in Europe and problems of European security,” the ministry said. “The exchange of views demonstrated similarity in Russian and Chinese positions and common interest in strengthening stability in Europe, and expanding opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to continue to coordinate their activities through the foreign ministries on a bilateral and multilateral basis.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing-777 passenger plane crashed in eastern Ukraine en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. All of the 298 people aboard died, including 28 Australian citizens and nine persons who had residence permits in Australia.