Mar 6, 2009, 20:16 GMT
Geneva - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to 'reset' the relationship between the two countries and discuss a broad range of issues, including nuclear proliferation and arms reduction.
'We are hopeful that this first meeting will lead to others and improve our ability to work together on a range of matters significant to our two countries and the world,' Clinton said after the meeting.
She said the 'top priority' was negotiating a follow up to the START treaty between Russia and US, which aims to reduce their nuclear arsenal. It expires on December 5.
Other issues discussed were nuclear proliferation, including Iran and North Korea, arms control and Afghanistan.
'There is no time to waste on a number of these significant challenges, we will begin work immediately to translate words into deeds,' said Clinton.
'I am confident that in the future we will try and reach agreements, results, enabling us to bring closer diplomatic solutions to such matters,' said Lavrov.
As the two walked into their dinner, Clinton handed Lavrov a small plate with a single word in Russian on it. The word was supposed to be 'restart,' but instead read 'overload.'
While the faux pas led to much laughter, the two also said it highlighted the fact that they had much on their plate to discuss and work on in the future.
'We have no desire to get rid of any part of this overload,' said Lavrov.
The administration of US President Barack Obama has said it wants to restart its relationship with Russia.
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