Obama, Medvedev Part with Hearty Laughs but Not on Missile Defense

US President Obama (left) and Russian President Medvedev (right) at the global nuclear security summit in Seoul, their last meeting together as acting heads of state. Photo by RIA Novosti

Russian-US relations are at an all-time high, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has told US President Barack Obama at the global nuclear security summit in Seoul on Monday.

At the same time, however, the seemingly cordial Obama-Medvedev talks in Seoul has made it clear the two powers keep failing to find a common stance on deployment of a missile defense system in Europe. Medvedev insisted however, that there is still time to negotiate.

The summit in Seoul appears to be the last meeting before Medvedev and Russian PM Vladimir Putin switch their posts. The presidential terms of Dmitry Medvedev (2008-2012) , and Barack Obama (which will be his first term if he gets reelected) (2009-2013) roughly coincided.

"We talked about the fact that time is not wasted, cooperation and discussion of all aspects related to the implementation of the idea of European missile defense should be more active," Medvedev said following the meeting, the last the two leaders will have as presidents, as cited by RIA Novosti.

"We agreed that now is the time for technical experts to become involved. In any case, of course, our respective positions remain the same but dialogue on this subject is not only possible, it is also necessary. Speaking very bluntly, we still have time to negotiate and reach a balanced decision, bearing in mind the good experience that Barack and I have gained during the preparation of the START Treaty," he added.

US President Obama said Russia and the United States have a lot of work to do on many issues.

"Now is the time when our technicians, our team, will begin discussions on technical issues," he said commenting on missile defense.

Russia and NATO agreed to cooperate on a European missile defense system at the NATO-Russia Council Summit in Lisbon in November 2010. RIA Novosti reminds Russia believes that the development of the concept and architecture of European missile defense should be implemented on an equal basis and provide adequate confidence-building measures and transparency in terms of defense.

US officials have repeatedly said the missile defense system would not be directed against Russia and that the US, NATO and Russia would benefit from its strategic capacity and cooperation.

Moscow wants the U.S. and NATO to sign a legally binding written agreement that European missile defense would not be directed against Russia. The Kremlin has also sought to clarify the role the United States thinks it will have in European missile defense. NATO and Washington insist the defense system will not be used against Russia, however, they have so far declined to give a written guarantee.

Obama said on Monday he was aiming for "a world without nuclear weapons" and directly appealed to North Korea and Iran not to develop them, the BBC reported.

Speaking at Hankuk University before the summit, Obama also pledged to work with Russia and China. He stated that "serious sustained global effort" was needed to protect the world from the nuclear terrorism risk.

Obama addressed North Korea's nuclear ambitions, saying that his country has ''no hostile intent'' towards Pyongyang, but added that ''there will be no rewards for provocation." He said North Korea had better give up its plans to launch a long-range rocket to put a satellite in orbit.

Regarding Iran, Obama said the problem over its nuclear program could still be resolved through diplomatic means but warned the Islamic Republic that "time is short."

Medvedev said in the last three years Russian-US relations were the best they had been in decades, despite differing views on the success of the "reset" in relations.

The US President described their meeting as highly productive, noting achievements in the last three years including the strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia.

Obama accepted an invitation from Medvedev to visit Russia after the U.S. presidential elections. "Of course I would like to visit St. Petersburg but I'm afraid I'll have to do it after the election," Obama said.

The election is scheduled for November 2012 and the inauguration of the new president will be in January 2013. According to the latest poll results, President Obama holds the edge and is the favorite to win.

Obama last visited Russia in July 2009. He twice met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and had a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The main result of the visit was the signing of the Russian-US framework agreement on strategic offensive arms (START).

"It gives me great pleasure to meet with my colleague, Barack Obama, and it seems to me that the understanding that we gained over the years has helped solve a number of important bilateral and international issues," Medvedev said.

"I hope that this relationship will remain between Russia and the U.S., between the leaders in the future. That is why, using this opportunity, I would like once again to invite you, Barack, to visit Russia. I know that this is an election year and it's a difficult year. We have a lot of good places. I invited you to St. Petersburg and on my own behalf and on behalf of the President-elect Vladimir Putin and I invite you again," he added.

Obama also thanked President Medvedev for the cooperation the two leaders had acheived, saying that he could not wish for a better partner. Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin has said he would nominate Medvedev as a candidate for the post of Russian Prime Minister.

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