Obama seeks more substantive relations with Russia

2009-06-26 17:25:01 GMT2009-06-27 01:25:01 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a news conference in the White House in Washington D.C., capital of the United State, June 26, 2009.(Xinhua/Zhang Yan)

WASHINGTON, June 26 (Xinhua) -- President Barack Obama on Friday said that the United States and Germany have been seeking substantive relationship with Russia.

"As I prepare to visit Moscow, Chancellor Merkel and I reaffirmed our commitment to a more substantive relationship with Russia," the President told a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel after their meeting in the White House.

"Chancellor Merkel shares my belief that no single nation can meet the challenges of our time alone," said Obama, adding that the two countries would work with Russian on "issues where we agree and honestly confronting those areas where we disagree."

"In Moscow, we will continue to explore ways in which the United States and Russia can advance our common interests, including our joint commitment to reducing our nuclear arsenals and strengthening the global nonproliferation regime," said the president, who is scheduled to visit Moscow in July.

Echoing Obama's remarks, Merkel said that a partnership with Russia "is very important" for Germany and the European Union," adding that Germany and the EU expect "a very good relationship" between Washington and Moscow.

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