Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Holds Talks with French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner

PRESS RELEASE

Talks took place on September 18 between Sergey Lavrov and Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of France, staying on his first working visit to Russia.

In the course of the discussions, held in a constructive and frank atmosphere, priority questions of bilateral relations and the Russia-France engagement in international affairs were examined.

The ministers noted with satisfaction the high dynamics in bilateral relations and the commitment of both sides to the principles of strategic partnership.

Questions pertaining to further UN reform and the strengthening of the Organization's role in tackling key world development issues were touched upon in the context of the upcoming opening of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly and France's current presidency of the Security Council.

Questions of cooperation on European security, interaction within the Russia-European Union relationship, OSCE and Russia-NATO relations themes, the prospects of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe as well as missile defense problems were examined in depth.

An exchange of views took place on a number of regional problems, including the negotiation process on Kosovo status, the Iranian nuclear program, Middle East settlement and the situation in Lebanon, Darfur, Iraq and Chad. CIS themes were also examined, including relations with Georgia.

The ministers also touched on certain aspects of the internal situation in Russia and France.

September 18, 2007