Official website of the President of Russia

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President Vladimir Putin:

Mr President, this is the first time we are meeting in such circumstances, but I am sure that we are all in a good mood today because the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit has ended with a major event concerned with addressing one of the world’s biggest problems today, namely, the fight against terrorism.

Our military and other security officials spent a long time preparing for these counterterrorist exercises.

I would like to thank you for the attention you gave to these preparations, and I would also like to thank the Chinese specialists and all of our partners who have contributed to ensuring that these exercises have been of the highest quality.

I am sure that by working together with other countries, Russia, the People’s Republic of China, and the other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will make a worthy contribution to the fight against terrorism.

President of China Hu Jintao:

It was a great pleasure to have the occasion to meet with you, Mr President. This is our fourth meeting this year. We were just present together at the joint military exercise, which measured up to the highest standards.

As you noted, the exercise was indeed a success and it will contribute to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s efforts to fight terrorism and show that the SCO member states are firmly resolved in their determination to counter the terrorist threat. I am sure that today’s exercises will encourage the SCO to play an even greater part in combating terrorism in the region.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr President, and all of the Russian Federation Armed Forces’ leadership and officers on the successful completion of these military exercises. I would also like to sincerely thank you and everyone who did so much to make these exercises possible.

Yesterday, we had a detailed exchange of views regarding our bilateral relations and we reached a common position on a wide range of issues. I am ready to continue this discussion with you now.