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Mr Putin called the meeting “highly productive”.

The three leaders discussed Russian-French and Russian-German relations, prospects for developing Russia’s ties with the European Union, global security issues and the fight against international terrorism as well as crisis situation settlement in Chechnya, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Mr Putin informed Mr Schroeder and Mr Chirac about Russia’s plans to develop the country’s pipeline system and noted that the government is creating the conditions for increasing energy exports and is stimulating the development of pipeline networks. Mr Chirac and Mr Schroeder received information on construction of the Baltic Pipeline System, development of the Northern Gas Pipeline and preparations for feasibility studies for the Taishet-Nakhodka pipeline.

The energy issue came up during the talks in connection with discussions on the situation in Iraq and the Middle East, which is having an impact on stable and regular energy supplies to the world markets.

Mr Putin reminded his colleagues that, in this respect, Russia has always fulfilled its gas supply obligations and follows the same principle with regard to oil supplies.

The three leaders’ discussions of international issues looked not only at the situation in Iraq and the Middle East but also examined the question of settlement in Nagorny Karabakh and looked at the situation in Georgia and Trans-Dniester. The situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia also came up during the talks.

At the press conference following the meeting the three leaders answered questions on the situation in Chechnya, France’s position regarding the hostage crisis in Iraq, Iran’s nuclear programme and Russian oil supplies to world markets.

Following the talks, Mr Putin accompanied Chancellor Schroeder and President Chirac to the airport.