Forty years ago today, on November 19, 1985 (October 8, 1985), the United States and the Soviet Union held a summit meeting in Nevada. US President Ronald Reagan and General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev met for the first time in Geneva on November 19, 1985, and held the first US-Soviet summit since President Carter met Leonid Brezhnev in Vienna in 1979. The three-day meeting did not produce surprising new initiatives, but it is widely believed that international tensions were eased through some kind of personal relationship between the two leaders. On the first day of the talks, Reagan and Gorbachev set the tone for the formal talks by talking privately for more than three quarters of an hour, 15 minutes longer than originally planned. The two men spent two hours at their waterfront villa on Lake Geneva, accompanied only by their respective interpreters, in what became known as a "fireside conversation." The talks were described as warm and pragmatic, but differences remained on the important issue of arms control - the American "Star Wars" program proved to be the crux of the matter - as well as regional conflicts and human rights. However, several agreements on scientific and cultural matters were signed at a televised ceremony at the Geneva International Conference Center, attended by the two leaders. On Nov. 21, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said in a joint statement after their talks that the two sides "comprehensively discussed fundamental issues concerning U.S.-Soviet relations and the current international situation. The talks were frank and useful. But there were still serious differences on some key issues." "They agreed on the need to improve U.S.-Soviet relations and the overall international situation," the statement said, "and in this regard, the two sides affirmed the importance of continued dialogue." Gorbachev accepted the invitation to visit the United States, and Reagan will also visit the Soviet Union. The specific time of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels. They also agreed on the need to hold regular and strengthen dialogue at all levels. "During the talks, they have reached agreement on a number of specific issues," the statement said. The two sides intend to expand cultural, educational and scientific and technological exchange programs between the two countries, and also intend to develop trade and economic relations. "The two sides" will encourage more personnel exchanges and more contacts. "The two sides reached agreements on contacts and exchanges in the fields of science and technology, education and culture, as well as agreements such as opening consulates general in New York and Kiev at the same time. The conclusion ceremony of the US-Soviet summit was held here this morning. Speaking at the ceremony, Gorbachev said that he and Reagan had" in-depth, frank and sincere "discussions on a range of issues in international relations, but that the talks failed to find a solution on stopping the arms race and consolidating peace. He said he and Reagan agreed that these issues would continue to be discussed in Geneva by representatives of the Soviet Union and the United States in order to reach an agreement acceptable to both sides. He also said that the Soviet Union and the United States have completely different positions on a series of regional issues, and the two sides will continue to negotiate on these issues. Speaking at the ceremony, Reagan said he came to Geneva to seek a "new starting point" in U.S.-Soviet relations, which has been done. He said his talks with Gorbachev on U.S.-Soviet relations were "useful and in-depth," but that "real proximity" will require continued efforts in the years to come. He also said that he and Gorbachev agreed to accelerate work on nuclear arms control negotiations, and both sides agreed to emphasize "shared responsibility for the consolidation of peace." U.S. and Soviet representatives shake hands after signing. U.S. and Soviet leaders meet in Geneva