MOSCOW, October 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed bilateral ties, energy issues and the financial crisis on Saturday with his visiting Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko.

"The leaders were able to consider in detail different issues relating to bilateral ties," the Russian president's press secretary said.

"The talks focused on preparations for the upcoming regular meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Russia-Belarus Union to be held in late November-early December," Natalya Timakova said. "Issues concerning energy prices were also discussed."

She also said that the two presidents had touched upon the financial crisis, in particular joint measures that could be taken by Russia and Belarus to reduce its negative influence upon the economies of both countries.

Medvedev opened the meeting by saying that he would like the two neighbors to draw up a joint position on the crisis before Russia takes part in an international summit on the issue set for November 15 in Washington.