MOSCOW, March 3 -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping and his Russian counterpart Grigory Karasin agreed Monday that the international community should work on the harmony and stability of the Commonwealth of Independence States (CIS).

Both sides agreed that CIS countries' sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and their development strategies should be respected, and outside powers should stay away from internal affairs of this region.

The international community, they said, should respect history and reality when dealing with issues concerning certain country's internal affairs and relations among the region's states.

Prospects, fates and fundamental interests of certain country should be prioritized, they said, adding the international community should also do more to promote unity and harmony in this region.

The two diplomats expressed deep concern over the current situation in Ukraine, condemning the violence in that country.

They called on all relevant Ukrainian parties to resolve their disputes through dialogue and consultation within legal frameworks, thus ensuring stability, economic growth and social harmony of the country.

China and Russia, they noted, treasure traditional friendship with the Ukrainian people, and are willing to do whatever they can to support and help the Ukrainians.