The two leaders spoke at length about important Russian-French bilateral affairs and cooperation on the world stage.
There was an exchange of opinions on the development of relations between Russia and the European Union, with a detailed discussion of the agenda of the forthcoming meeting between EU leaders and the Russian President in Stockholm on March 23.
Concerned over the dangerous developments on the Macedonian-Yugoslav border and in the province of Kosovo, Mr Putin and Mr Chirac urged the world community to offer backing to the Macedonian Government in its efforts to defend its territorial integrity and national security.
They touched upon the arrangements for the French President’s official visit to Russia planned for early July 2001.