French Premier To Visit Moscow

French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin embarks on a two-day official visit to Moscow on Monday. According to Jospin's political adviser Denis Delbourg, the premier is fully resolved to "give a powerful incentive to political and economic relations between the two countries in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the USA." The fact that Jospin comes to Moscow accompanied by almost one-third of the French cabinet of ministers - the ministers for foreign and internal affairs, of transport, research, state reform and administrative policy - highlights the importance France attaches to the visit. Other members of the delegation are prominent French businessmen, the presidents of Air France, Alcatel and other leading enterprises. On October 23, Jospin meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin to discuss vital international issues, mostly Russian-French and all-European cooperation in the effort to combat international terrorism. The upcoming conversation, which France regards as particularly important for both countries, will also focus on strategic stability and security in the light of discussions in the United Nations and other organisations about the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, globalization, and the situation in Afghanistan, Mideast, Balkans and around Iraq.