They discussed the problems of the Kaliningrad Region, the situation in Chechnya, Belarusian relations with the Parliamentary Assembly, and the prospects of extending Russian-PACE partnership.
Mr Putin told Mr Schieder and Mr Aller about Russian efforts to normalise the situation in Chechnya.
Concerning Chechen separatist spokesmen received in Strasbourg early in 2002, Mr Putin emphasised once again that double standards were out of the question after the terrorist attack at the Moscow theatre on Dubrovka Street, and it was inadmissible to receive Chechen emissaries. The visitors agreed with his opinion.
Mr Schieder fully supported Mr Putin’s position on the Kaliningrad Region and greeted the decision made by the Russia-EU summit in Brussels.
He told Mr Putin that PACE had not resolved to isolate Belarusian spokesmen or terminate their powers in the Parliamentary Assembly. On the contrary, the Assembly held meetings with members of the Belarusian parliament, opposition activists being no exception.