President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of France Emmanuel Macron discussed combating coronavirus and other global challenges, the development of bilateral relations, as well as settlements of conflicts in Libya, Syria and Ukraine. According to the Kremlin press service, on Friday the leaders “had a lengthy conversation” on a wide range of international and bilateral agenda issues in the videoconference format.
“A pressing task remains to consolidate efforts to combat the coronavirus infection and overcome its impacts”, the press service of the President of the Russian Federation informs, following the results of negotiations. Among the other acute global challenges addressed during the talks were international terrorism, climate change and “growing conflict potential in many regions across the globe”.
“Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron noted that as permanent members of the UN Security Council Russia and France had special responsibility for maintaining international peace and security <…>. In this regard, major significance is paid to the implementation of Russia’s initiative to call a summit of the heads of states of the permanent members of the UN Security Council”, the Kremlin highlighted.
During the talks, the leaders analyzed various aspects of the situation in the sphere of strategic stability. “The importance of preserving the existing arms control mechanisms and building predictability and trust in the military sphere was stressed. It was agreed to invigorate joint efforts on this dossier in the 2+2 format with the participation of foreign and defense ministers”, the press service said, noting that the sides continued to exchange views on ways to forge a new architecture of European security. “A list of key areas of Russian-French dialogue on these and other topics between the corresponding agencies were agreed upon”, the report says.
Other topics during the talks included current issues of Russian-French cooperation, “including with a focus on cooperation on the climate-change agenda, Arctic problems and peaceful use of nuclear energy”. Macron accepted Putin’s invitation to pay an official visit to Russia, the press service of the Russian leader stressed.
As the Kremlin noted, Putin and Macron held “an in-depth discussion” on regional crises. “Concerning the Ukrainian conflict, the sides expressed their concern over the lack of progress in the implementation of key provisions of the 2015 Minsk agreements and the resolutions adopted by the Normandy-format summits, including the one in Paris in December 9, 2019. The Russian side highlighted the need for Ukraine to implement its commitments under political aspects of the settlement effort, as well as the need to establish direct dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk”, the press service of the President of Russia reports.
Both Presidents also voiced concern over ongoing hostilities in Libya. “The leaders spoke in favor of immediate cessation of hostilities and resumption of intra-Libyan dialogue <…>, as well as consolidation of international efforts to settle the crisis by political and diplomatic means”, the Kremlin noted.
Putin also informed his counterpart about Russia’s efforts to normalize the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria. “Both sides share the principled position on the necessity of further uncompromised fight against terrorism and steps towards improving the humanitarian situation in Syria. Russian and French foreign ministers will continue to discuss this issue”, the press service said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS