Putin, Hollande to discuss coordination of antiterrorist efforts at meeting in Moscow on Nov 26 - Kremlin
MOSCOW. Nov 20 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Francois Hollande will discuss coordination of Moscow's and Paris's steps in combating terrorism and the situation in Syria at a meeting in Moscow on November 26, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.
The two leaders will attach "primary importance" to these issues, Ushakov told journalists on Friday.
Russia welcomes France's intention to establish a broad coalition against Islamic State and views Hollande's plans to visit Washington before coming to Moscow in the context of these efforts, he said.
Hollande's visit to Moscow is to take place at France's initiative, the two leaders will hold negotiations at a working lunch, after which they are supposed to make a joint statement for the press, Ushakov said.
"Naturally, principal attention will be given to the coordination of efforts on the antiterrorist track and the situation in Syria," Ushakov said.
He pointed out that, immediately following a telephone conversation with Hollande on November 17, Putin visited the Defense Ministry and issued instructions on cooperating with the French military "as with allies," taking into consideration the presence of French and Russian naval units near the Syrian coast.
"Our country welcomes the French president's statement on the intention to set up a broad anti-ISIL coalition. The French president has signaled such intention several times," he said.
In commenting on Hollande's plans to travel to Washington before visiting Moscow, Ushakov said, "We view this as the continuation of efforts declared by [Hollande] on forming the broadest possible antiterrorist coalition, which we actively support," Ushakov said.