Moscow expects activating political dialogue with Paris

Taking into account the new internal political situation in France, there is a remarkable stir in the political dialogue between Russia and France, Alexander Yakovenko, official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced on the eve of French President Jacques Chirac's visit to Russia on July 19th-20th.

In his interview with RIA Novosti the diplomat regarded the talks between the Russian and French foreign ministers, which had taken place on July 8th, as the evidence of both countries' unanimity on key international issues, their desire to promote the "exclusive partnership".

Following Dominique de Villepin's visit to Moscow, a joint statement on setting up a Russo-French Council for Security Cooperation was signed. The aim of the initiative is to provide a closer coordination of the countries' stands and actions in the sphere of international security and strategic stability, the fight against international terrorism and other new threats and challenges, the Russian official underlined.