At the City Hall, President Putin wished Parisians prosperity and happiness. Mr Putin said that the inimitable atmosphere of Paris inspired musicians, painters and sculptors. Paris was the cradle of the European enlightenment and the everlasting ideas of human rights and liberty.
Mr Putin emphasised the tremendous contribution to Russian-French relations of the current French President Jacques Chirac, who had been the Mayor of Paris for many years, and said that the cooperation between Russian and French regions had excellent prospects.
Mr Putin also met with Mayor Bertrand Delanoe.
See also
State Visit to France
February 10 − 12, 2003