The main themes of the Russian-French high-level talks were bilateral political and economic cooperation, Russia-EU relations, the situation in the Middle East and the Iranian nuclear dossier.
At the conclusion of the visit by French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to Russia a Joint Statement on Using Nuclear Energy was passed.
The Joint Statement emphasizes that Russia and France are making a joint effort to improve the nuclear nonproliferation regime, disarmament, counterterrorism, and the development of nuclear energy for peaceful means.
The nuclear nonproliferation regime is a cornerstone of the multilateral security system.
Russia and France call on all states to comply with their obligations stemming from the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the guarantees resulting from the Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and to develop effective measures to prevent illegal trafficking of nuclear equipment, technology and materials. As states parties to the NPT, Russia and France believe in ensuring the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials, and scientific and technical information to be used for nuclear energy for peaceful means and in full compliance with nonproliferation obligations.
In relation to this, Russia and France are united in their determination to settle important issues concerning the consequences of the Iranian nuclear programme for nonproliferation. Recognizing the Iranian people's legitimate right to develop a secure permanent nuclear energy program in conditions that guarantee that it will be used for peaceful means, Russia and France call on Iran to fully comply with the February resolution and requirements of the IAEA Board of Governors, including fully ceasing all activities linked with enriching and refining uranium.
The Russian proposal to create a joint venture for enriching uranium on Russian territory benefits from broad support among the international community and represents an opportunity for advancing in this direction, reads the Joint Statement.