CRI听力：Russian FM: Two Sides See Good Chance to End Rift on Missile Defence

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesman has said that Moscow and Washington have a good chance to end their rift on missile defence.

Andrei Nesterenko told a news briefing that US President Barack Obama's new approach to missile defence provides a "window of opportunity" for ending the rift that long has strained ties.

"We honestly hope that with the new administration in power in Washington, that positive dynamics will dominate our bilateral relations with US. The results of first contacts with the Obama administration representatives are encouraging. It would be an overstatement to say that our interests coincide entirely, but there is enough to work on."(WWW.hxen.net)

He said that Moscow and Washington have every opportunity to reach an agreement that would settle their dispute over the previous US administration's plans for missile defence sites in Eastern Europe.

Nesterenko's sentiments were echoed by former US secretary of State, James Baker, who said he was optimistic about the prospect of improved relations.

"I was encouraged when I saw President Obama say it's time to press the reset button between the United States and Russia. And then Foreign Minister Lavrov supported that idea when Secretary Clinton was here. So, those of us support the idea of close US-Russia relations are encouraged that the relationship's going to become better now."