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US, French presidents meet in Strasbourg

03 April 2009 15:07 (UTC +04:00)

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubeyli â€“APA. French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed his US counterpart Barack Obama on Friday in Strasbourg within the NATO Summit. The presidents held a press conference after the meeting, APA European bureau reports. Sarkozy said they discussed the issues related to Afghanistan, Middle East, Iran and Russia. â€œI appreciate his open mind and welcome his intention for the new world. We have much work ahead because a package of great problems is on the tableâ€.
Obama emphasized he was satisfied with the French presidentâ€™s initiative and creativity toward solution of current problems/ â€œWe had very useful and constructive meeting. French-US joint actions strengthen prospects of peace and welfare in the worldâ€.
Obama said he had very useful meeting with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev as well. â€œI believe that the United States and Russia have a great potential to improve their relations. I think NATO has to recognize the Russiaâ€™s legitimate interests. I consider that we have to launch dialogue with Russia, respecting the independent and free policy of European countries. I condemned Russiaâ€™s aggression against Georgia. Despite President Sarkozyâ€™s efforts toward peace, the situation was not stabilized yet. We have to send serious message to Russia about our intention to work together. We shouldnâ€™t return to old methods. I consider that the United States and Europe have common interests against the Iranâ€™s nuclear efforts, but Iranâ€™s right to the civil nuclear energy must be respected as wellâ€.