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The talks focused above all on trade and economic cooperation, in particular on current and planned joint projects in the high-technology sectors.

The two leaders exchanged views on a broad range of international issues. Mr Putin and Mr Sarkozy discussed the Iranian nuclear programme, the Middle East peace process, and negotiations on the future status of the Serbian region of Kosovo. With France set to take over the presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2008, the two leaders also discussed the outlook for further developing strategic cooperation between Russia and the EU.

Taking part in the talks were Presidential Aide Sergei Prikhodko, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Glushko and Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Avdeyev. The French delegation included Presidential Foreign Affairs Adviser Jean-David Levitte, Foreign Affairs Adviser Damien Lorasse and French Ambassador to Russia Stanislas de Laboule.

Mr Putin and Mr Sarkozy gave a press conference following the talks.