Putin, Still Potent, Comes to Paris

Vladimir Putin may no longer be President of Russia, but you wouldn't know that by the head-of-state treatment he's receiving in France. On Thursday, Putin began a two-day trip to Paris — his first major foreign excursion since swapping his presidency for the job of Prime Minister — where he'll meet with both his French counterpart, F. Fillon, and President N. Sarkozy. The unusually reverential treatment for a visiting head of government reflects the belief among France's leaders, like most others in the West, that Putin remains the eminent political forcein Russia regardless of his title. But the visit also reflects Putin's belief that the road to repairing Russia's strained relationswith the European Union runs through Paris.

Russian officials quoted in the media acknowledge that the timing and focus of Putin's visit indicate that Moscow sees a diplomatic opportunity in the fact that France will assume the E.U.'s rotating presidency on July 1. Efforts to renew expired strategic accords that shaped Russo-European relations have floundered for nearly two years amid tensions over military and energy concerns, and European complaints of alleged human rights violations and election-tampering in Russia. Recently, however, both sides have signaled a greater willingness to normalize ties — especially since new E.U. members Poland and Lithuania expressed satisfaction with Russian responses to their objections on a now-lifted beef ban, and over Moscow's use of its oil pipeline to the West as a de facto political weapon. Indeed, just last Monday, all 27 E.U. states agreed to resume formal talks to reestablish the defunct accords that cover a wide range of security, economic, energy and administrative issues.

"This topic will be primordial during the meetings with Prime Minister F. Fillon and President N. Sarkozy," a Russian government source told the RIA Novosti press agency. "Since we've always considered dialogue with France as an important factor in the rapprochement between Russia and the E.U., our cooperation will be accorded a choice spot during the French presidency."

The friendship between Sarkozy and Putin reflects a common view on some major strategic questions: France shares Russia's concern over NATO opening formal membership talks with former Soviet republics Georgia and the Ukraine. Paris also echoes some of Moscow's suspicion over U.S. plans to deploy its missile-defense system in Eastern Europe. Such sympathy for Russian positions should leave Moscow feeling more comfortable with France assuming the E.U. presidency just as negotiations over new Russo-European accords kick off June 26.

French voters may not share Sarkozy's enthusiasm for Putin, but few will object if it results in improved Russo-E.U. ties. And improved ties between Moscow and Paris are good for French business. Talks between Putin and French officials will cover contracts for French military, aerospace, energy and technology companies — including plans for oil giant Total's involvement in developing Russia's giant Shtokman gas field. Though France is only Russia's sixth-largest trading partner, improved bilateral relations have recently helped triple the value of their annual exchange to $25.7 billion. And in an economically sluggish France, there will be few voices willing to shout nyet to that.

29/05 /2008, Time

2. Answer the questions:

1. At whose invitation did the Russian Prime Minister arrive in Paris?

2. Who will V. Putin meet with during his two-day stay in Paris?

3. What is the primary goal of the Russian Prime Minister’s official trip to France?

4. How do the Russian officials assess the Russian Prime Minister’s visit to France? Does this visit mean the beginning of the improvement of tense Russo-European relations?

5. What formal talks did all 27 E.U. states agree to resume with Russia?

6. How have the relations between Russia and France been developing lately?

7. What issues will be covered by the Russian Prime Minister and French officials during the talks?

2. Turn to current press materials and find the information:

• what delegation paid a visit to our country recently,

• when the delegation arrived in our country,

• at whose invitation the delegation visited Russia,

• what kind of visit it was,

• who headed the delegation,

• who was the delegation welcomed by,

• who the delegation welcomed by,

• who the delegation had talks with,

• what problems were discussed during the talks.

UNIT II