Mr Putin and Mr Chirac discussed a number of topical international issues and concrete questions related to bilateral cooperation. When exchanging opinions on the situation in Iraq, they confirmed the closeness of their countries’ positions regarding the recent air strikes on Baghdad, which they considered counter-productive for the political settlement in the region. Russia and France intend to actively help Iraq to resume dialogue with the United Nations Organisation and to promote a settlement on the basis of the famous UN Security Council’s resolutions as soon as possible.
Vladimir Putin and Jacques Chirac also discussed ways to achieve a political settlement in Nagorny Karabakh and expressed satisfaction with their countries’ close and constructive interaction in this matter.