BISHKEK. May 15 (Interfax) - Russia views stronger relations with China as a priority of its foreign policy, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said.
Patrushev met with the Chinese State Council member and Public Security Minister, Zhao Kezhi, in Bishkek on Wednesday.
"Nikolai Patrushev noted that Russia views further strengthening of multifaceted relations with China as a priority of its foreign policy. He also underlined that the relationship between Russia and China has reached an unprecedented level and sets an example for dialogue between large states," Russian Security Council press secretary Yevgeny Anoshin told reporters after the meeting.
Patrushev and Zhao took part in the 14th annual meeting of Security Council secretaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, which was held in Bishkek on Wednesday.
The meeting addresses security and stability levels in the SCO zone. It also focuses on cooperation between the SCO member states in suppressing terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug and arms trafficking, and transnational organized crime, as well as in providing global information security.
Kyrgyzstan presides in the SCO this year. The organization has eight members; namely India, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Bishkek will play host to an SCO summit on June 13-14.