Europe

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded trip to this Russian Far East city was of far-reaching significance as it cemented mutual trust and friendship and promoted win-win regional cooperation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday.

During his tightly scheduled 30-hour stay in Vladivostok, the Chinese president attended the fourth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and met with leaders of other countries in the region, among other activities.

12 Sep 2018, DG: The European Commission president pledged to strengthen the EU border and a new trade agreement with Africa. Juncker pushed for strengthening the bloc's international role, as the US retreats from the world stage.

11 Sep 2018, DG: Neighboring giants Russia and China plan to use their own currencies more often in trade deals as relations with the West decline. The Russian president indulged in pancake diplomacy with his Chinese counterpart.

12 Sep 2018, DG: In a tense vote, a majority of EU lawmakers backed a motion that opens the door to sanctions against Hungary. Orban's government is accused of silencing independent media, targeting NGOs and removing independent judges.

Members of the European Parliament voted to censure the Hungarian government on Wednesday for eroding democracy and failing to uphold fundamental European Union values.

MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. The filming of a staged chemical attack, allegedly carried out by the Syrian army against civilians, is already underway in the Idlib Governorate, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria told reporters.

UN, September 12. /TASS/. The US-led coalition, which earlier vowed to carry out an airstrike on Syria if chemical weapons are used in the province of Idlib, now says that an offensive would suffice for a military operation, Russia’s UN envoy said on Tuesday.

VLADIVOSTOK, September 12. /TASS/. Russia and China have agreed to get approval for gas supplies via the Power of Siberia’s ‘western route’ in the shortest possible time, Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping set the task of getting approval for gas supplies via the western route in the shortest possible time at the talks (with Russian President Vladimir Putin - TASS) yesterday," he said, adding that "an agreement is to be reached regarding around 30 bln cubic meters (of gas)."

VLADIVOSTOK, September 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that providing international guarantees to North Korea in response to steps towards denuclearization would be the best solution.

"What kinds of guarantees can there be? International ones," the head of state said answering questions at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). He recalled that the negotiations on North Korea’s nuclear problem were six-party.

TSUGOL PROVING GROUND, September 12. /TASS/. Joint military exercises by Russia and China will be held regularly, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.

Shoigu and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe have inspected the Russian and Chinese command centers at the Tsugol proving ground.

After the inspection Fenghe stressed the importance of Russian-Chinese military cooperation at the tactical and strategic levels. The Chinese military-political leadership will be paying unflagging attention to this, he promised.

VLADIVOSTOK, September 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that Japan should sign a peace treaty before the end of the year without any preliminary conditions, he said at a plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum.