Sergei Lavrov met with Condoleezza Rice October 21 during a working visit by the U.S. Secretary of State to Russia.
"While discussing topical international issues, the parties focused on the specific aspects of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1718 due to nuclear tests conducted in North Korea," the press office of the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Rice visited the capitals of South Korea, Japan and China earlier this week as part of a crisis tour to press for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1718, imposing weapons and financial sanctions on Pyongyang in the wake of the reclusive regime's October 9 announcement it had successfully tested a nuclear device. Russia supported the sanctions, but spoke against using military force against North Korea.
During their meeting, Lavrov and Rice also discussed the Iran nuclear issue, the Middle East settlement, the situation in Iraq and Trans-Caucasus, especially in the light of the latest UN Security Council resolution on Georgia, the press office said.
The UN Security Council adopted October 13 the Russia-proposed resolution, which urges the ex-Soviet country to refrain from provocative actions in its breakaway region of Abkhazia and extended Russia's peacekeeping mandate in the region until April 2007.
During their meeting, Lavrov and Rice also discussed the topical issues of Russia-U.S. relations, including control over the implementation of accords reached at a summit of the presidents of Russia and the U.S. in St. Petersburg in July 2006, and also in the context of forthcoming contacts at the highest level, the ministry's press office said.
