Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday called on Europeans to strengthen economic cooperation with Russia, but adding that he was powerless to rein in soaring oil prices.
Putin was speaking to journalists in Paris after talks with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon at the start of a two-day visit — his first outside Russia since stepping down as head of state.
The special treatment in the French capital accorded to Putin, who was president for eight years, underscored the view in Paris that he remains a predominant player in Russian affairs.
Replying to questions, Putin — who met French President Nicolas Sarkozy later on Thursday — said concern over human rights abuses in Russia was exaggerated, suggesting that the topic was being exploited to pressure Moscow.
Noting that France takes over the rotating presidency of the EU from July 1, Putin said: “We hope this will enable us to advance negotiations on a strategic partnership.”
EU member states on Monday approved the launch of negotiations with Moscow on a new partnership and cooperation agreement, putting an end to two years of acrimony over the issue.
Putin invited Europeans to invest in Russia, including its energy sector, citing the signature of the French oil giant Total in February of an accord to participate in a major oil project in the Barents Sea.
He said he regretted the amount of emphasis placed on primary materials in EU-Russian trade and urged development of high technology projects in the space, aeronautical and automotive industries.
Fillon, speaking to journalists along with Putin, said France was “open to Russian projects,” but stressed the need for a legal framework to develop such cooperation, a lack which the projected EU-Russian partnership aims to overcome.
“Energy security in Europe depends on calm relations with Russia,” he said, referring to concern in western Europe that Russia might try to exploit its gas and oil supplies to western Europe for political purposes.
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