Mr Putin told journalists that his contacts with the leaders of Russia’s partner countries—the United States, European Union countries and China – had greatly increased after terrorist attacks on the USA. Russia had great respect for their opinions, just as those leaders showed great interest in Russian opinions, he stressed.
Among measures the Russian leadership took after the terrorist attacks, Mr Putin mentioned a number of talks, and intensive consultations Vladimir Rushailo, Russian Security Council Secretary, was having with Russia’s Central Asian partners.
President Putin also said that anti-terrorist efforts would come under discussion when he met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin in Shanghai, and during his visits to Europe, where he would meet with the European Union, NATO and German leaderships. Mr Putin also referred to meetings with US President George W. Bush in Shanghai and during his upcoming official visit to the USA.