Russia, U.S. to Forge Dialogue despite Differences

Russia and the United States can maintain a constructive dialogue despite their differences over some international issues, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday.

"Despite a number of significant disagreements on certain international issues, we are convinced that we have what it takes to forge a constructive dialogue on a long-term basis," Medvedev said as he received credentials from a group of foreign ambassadors.

Ties with the United States were one of Russia's foreign policy priorities, Medvedev said, adding that the quality of Russian-U.S. relations was critical to a good international climate.

"The history of Russian-U.S. relations has seen plenty of imbroglios, but invariably common sense and pragmatism have prevailed," he was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.

The Russian president said he believed the two countries had solid foundations to build on and advance political dialogue, trade and economic relations, and investment activity.

"It would be politically short-sighted to fritter away these achievements and get back to the old stereotypes," he said.

Already strained over U.S. plans to deploy missile shield in Central Europe, relations between Moscow and Washington suffered another blow after last month's clashes in the Georgian breakaway region South Ossetia, in which the United States took side with Georgia against Russia.