Putin, Obama likely to meet during APEC summit

Moscow, Oct 3 (IANS/ITAR -TASS) Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama are likely to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bali in Indonesia.

"The agenda of this meeting is being finalised. We believe that this meeting will take place," Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Thursday, adding that the meeting is being planned for Oct 7.

"This was Russia's initiative to hold the meeting and it was at once supported by the American side," Ushakov said, while mentioning that the leaders "may discuss any theme" focussing on the situation in Syria.

He said Russia was always open to such contacts and attached great importance to bilateral agenda and pressing foreign policy themes, "which is extremely important for international security and settlement of grave crises".

"The last time the leaders had a productive meeting was in the G8 Summit in Lough Erne. Then they had dynamic contacts in St. Petersburg (the G20 summit). It is quite logical to meet in Bali. We support this," Ushakov said.

--IANS/ITAR-TASS

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