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Mr Putin expressed great satisfaction at the outcome of the informal meeting between the leaders of France, Russia, Germany and Spain.

This, the first meeting in this new four-country format, helped prepare for the Russia-EU summit that will take place in Moscow on May 10, and cleared the way for signing a roadmap for building the four common spaces between Russia and the European Union – in external and internal security, humanitarian issues and culture.

Adding Spain to the traditional Russian-French-German tripartite meeting format will be a real boost for encouraging cooperation and stability in Europe, Mr Putin said.

Mr Putin spoke in favour of extending to the Russia-NATO format the same kind of close and friendly defence cooperation that it has with France.

The four countries adopted a joint communique on Lebanon that affirms their commitment to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1559.