Paris Hopes Putin's Visit Will Confirm Privileged Position Of Two Countries' Relations

The Elysee Palace hopes that the forthcoming French-Russian summit will re-affirm the privileged position of the cooperation between Paris and Moscow, according to a source in Jacques Chirac's closest entourage. Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to visit Paris on January 15 on a brief working visit. "Putin will hold negotiations with Chirac, which will become a new step in Russia's even closer rapprochement with France and the European Union, the source stressed.