PRC/RUSSIA: BRIEFING ON RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 009666 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2026 TAGS: PREL RU CH IR SUBJECT: PRC/RUSSIA: BRIEFING ON RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV'S MEETING WITH CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTER REF: OSC CPP20060516056016 Classified By: A/DCM James Van Laningham. Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held very productive bilateral talks with China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Russian Senior Counselor Evgueny Tomikhin told the A/DCM in a May 18 meeting. On May 16, Lavrov was received by President Hu Jintao and held extensive talks with FM Li on Iran, on-going border issues, energy cooperation and the Year of Russia in China program. Tomikhin stated that the joint press statement issued by the foreign ministers on Iran's nuclear program does not represent a change in Russia's position on the issue. The foreign ministers signed two documents, one on the construction of a bridge between the two countries and one on an agreement to establish a working group on migration issues. Tomikhin said that China is very satisfied with the construction on the East Siberian pipeline. End Summary. Press Statement on Iran -------------- ¶2. (C) Tomikhin said that Russia's position on Iran's nuclear program has not changed and that the joint statement (reftel) issued by FM Lavrov and FM Li Zhaoxing reconfirmed Russia's position that peaceful solution is the only way forward on the Iran nuclear issue. According to Tomikhin, FM Lavrov and FM Li consider the period between now and mid-June as critical in resolving the Iranian crisis. Russia will continue on a bilateral basis to work with Iran to find a solution. The main goal of Russia's efforts is to encourage Iran to take practical steps toward resolving the issue. FM Lavrov described the last six-nations meeting in New York as very difficult but the most productive and effective meeting to date on Iran's nuclear program. Border Issues and Bridges -------------- ¶3. (C) FM Lavrov and FM Li reviewed progress on delineating the eastern section of the Sino-Russian border. According to Tomikhin, the two countries are in the process of establishing a Common Demarcation Commission that hopefully will start field work before the end of 2006. According to earlier agreements (NFI) signed between the two countries, the border demarcation should be completed by 2007. During Lavrov's visit, China and Russia signed two documents, one on the construction of a bridge between the two countries in the Chita region and the second to establish a working group on migration issues. East Siberian Pipeline Construction -------------- ¶4. (C) The two foreign ministers reviewed cooperation on the joint construction of the East Siberian oil pipeline and China is very satisfied with the progress, Tomikhin stated. Construction of the pipeline began ahead of schedule. Originally the project was to begin in late 2006 but construction actually started on April 28, according to Tomikhin. First stage is building the pipeline from East Siberia to within 70 kilometers of China's border. The second stage is still under consideration and there are multiple routes the pipeline could take. Tomikhin said Beijing is still considering the various routes for the second stage of the pipeline and is waiting for the results of an economic effectiveness study. Songhua River Cleanup -------------- ¶5. (C) FM Lavrov and FM Li continued ongoing discussions on environmental protection, emergency prevention and disaster clean-up, stated Tomikhin. Scientists predicted a second "bloom" of pollution to occur as frozen water in the Songhua River melted after the November 2005 benzene spill. Thus far neither China nor Russia has detected abnormal levels of pollutants. Tomikhin said Russia is optimistic that China's "Revival of the North East's Environment" campaign will help to improve the air and water quality along the border. Thus far China has pledged to spend USD 2 billion to improve the region's environment. Tomikhin pointed out that in February the Sino-Russian Sub-Commission on Environmental Cooperation was established. The new commission hopes to hold its first meeting in June or July 2006. Year of Russia in China -------------- BEIJING 00009666 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) Tomikhin said that the two foreign ministers discussed at length the activities of the Year of Russia in China. To date 80 events have been held. Next week the 11th Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Chinese and Russian Provinces will be held in Guangzhou and a 300 strong Russian delegation will tour Sichuan province. In November 2006, the Russian premier will open the National Russian Exhibition in Beijing. Tomikhin said that plans for the Year of China in Russia (2007) were also discussed. RANDT