Russian, U.S. presidents sign joint statement on anti-missile issue

MOSCOW, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his visiting U.S. counterpart Barack Obama have signed here a joint statement on anti-missile issue, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and visiting U.S. President Barack Obama attend a joint press conference at the Kremlin in Moscow July 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo)

Based on the consensus reached between the two leaders in early April in London, Russia and the United States plan to continue the discussion on cooperation concerning the issue of anti-missiles and the non-proliferation of ballistic missiles, the Kremlin's press office said in a news release.

On a basis of mutual respect for security interests, it said, both sides will actively seek the optimal way to strengthen reciprocal strategic relations.

Medvedev and Obama have also consigned experts from both countries to analyze the threat brought by missiles facing the world, and come up with relevant advices.

"Russia and the United States reaffirm their readiness for equitable and mutually-advantageous cooperation with all the parties concerned, which share the assessment of the danger coming from the global proliferation of ballistic missiles," the Interfax news agency reported, citing the joint statement.