Obama and Putin talk on the phone and agree to promote bilateral relations

President Barack Obama and newly elected President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, agreed Friday to promote relations between the two countries.

Obama phoned Putin from his special plane (Air Force One) on his way to Richmond (Virginia) to congratulate him on his victory in the presidential elections of March 4, the White House.

Obama and Putin highlighted the achievements of the US-Russia relations over the past three years, with President Dmitry Medvedev, among which includes cooperation on issues concerning Afghanistan and Iran, the conclusion and ratification of the new Treaty for the Strategic Arms Reduction and the recent accession of Russia to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The thaw in relations with Russia has been an act of foreign policy of the Obama administration. However, in recent months relations have cooled.

"President-elect Obama and President Putin agreed to be carried out a successful resumption of bilateral relations in the coming years," the White House said in a statement.

The two leaders discussed future areas of cooperation such as boosting trade and investment relations, and agreed to continue discussions on issues where they differ, as the Syrian conflict and the deployment of a missile defense shield.

"President-elect Obama and President Putin agreed to continue their efforts to find common areas and remove obstacles to improving relations," the White House said, adding that Obama wants to welcome Putin at the G8 summit to be held on 18 and May 19 in Camp David, the president's retreat in Maryland.

Putin was declared winner of presidential elections on March 4 last Wednesday, when the Russian Central Election Commission announced the final official results.

Asked why Obama had taken many days to call to congratulate Putin on his victory, the White House spokesman Josh Earnest, told reporters aboard the Air Force One that "I recognize that there was some delay call programming, but I have no details about it. "

"Our policy towards Russia is based on national interests, not personalities," he said yesterday also White House spokesman Jay Carney at a regular press conference.