Paris Wants EU-Russian Ties to Widen

Paris has stressed that it favours the widening of partnership between the European Union and Russia.

During his meeting with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga French President Jacques Chirac stressed that Paris "would like to establish strong ties" between the European Union and Russia, the press service of the Elysee Palace reports.

According to the report, relations with Moscow were addressed at the meeting in view of the forthcoming Russia-EU summit, scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg late in May.

Jacques Chirac and Vaira Vike-Freiberga focused on the EU enlargement and the agreement which Latvia is to sign next week, the Elysee Palace reports. Besides, the negotiations addressed the situation in Iraq, the Latvian President told the press. In particular, speaking on the Iraqi post-war settlement Vike-Freiberga pointed out that "Latvia fully agreed with France in trying to get an international view of the issue" and "see how and when exactly the United Nations will be able to fulfil its functions in the process."