Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon met to discuss how relations between Russia and France and Russia and the EU could be improved Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon met in Paris on Tuesday to discuss how relations between Russia and France and Russia and the EU could be improved.

Fillon called for broadening Russia and France's mutual investments, the French government said in a communique following the talks.

The meeting, in particular, addressed two issues, namely, the future of the EU's relationship with Russia in the context of an upcoming summit and bilateral cooperation in the economic, energy, industrial, space, and cultural spheres, the communique said.

Following talks, Medvedev, who is on a state visit to France, attended a dinner hosted by the French premier in honor of the Russian president, with Russian and French ministers and business leaders also in attendance.

Francois Fillon praised the quality of strategic partnership between France and Russia and, just as at an intergovernmental seminar in Rambouillet on November 27 last year, confirmed France's desire to provide full-scale assistance to the development and modernization of the Russian economy, the communique said.

The French premier also called for expanding mutual investments in the two countries, according to the communique.