MOSCOW. July 8 (Interfax-AVN) - Moscow and Paris are starting to work out a new mechanism of cooperation in the security sphere.
"Under an agreement between our presidents, we must work out and launch a new mechanism - a Russian-French council on cooperation in the security sphere," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said at a meeting with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin in Moscow on Monday. Ivanov noted that this structure is due to be set up during the current visit of the French foreign minister to Moscow.
"In general, the mechanism of this council is clear, and I would like to assure you that the Russian Defense Ministry is willing to actively join the work on its establishment and take foreign and defense ministers]," Ivanov said.
Ivanov said he is sure that with the appointment of the new French defense and foreign ministers, "relations between out countries will enjoy further positive qualitative development."
"At least there are no more internal political factors that would hinder the development of Russian-French relations in all spheres, including the security sphere," he said.
De Villepin noted in turn that the nascent council on cooperation, "in which the Russian and French defense and foreign ministers will take part, is an appropriate body for discussing all problems in the security sphere."
"France and Europe need a stable and strong Russia," he said.
De Villepin noted that Russian-French relations are developing at all levels, and "our presidents will soon meet in Sochi."
The business part of the French foreign minister's visit to Moscow started with the meeting with Sergei Ivanov on Monday. Later in the day, de Villepin will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov and will meet with Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo.