President Dmitry Medvedev said he believes that Russia and France should maintain close partnership, especially during the crisis.

President Medvedev is taking part in an international conference on global security currently under way in Yaroslavl. Earlier in the day, he met with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. “I’m glad to meet you and I want to thank you to find an opportunity to arrive in Russia,” Medvedev told Fillon.

The Russian president recognised that Moscow “values it and considers it respect to Russia and to the ideas, which are now being discussed at the conference”.

“Russia and France has wide relations. They include not only economic components but also humanitarian projects, including Year of Russia in France and Year of France in Russia in 2010,” Medvedev stressed.

In his view, “we are very close partners and I believe that we should do everything possible to develop our relations.”

“During the crisis, it is very important to meet from time to time. We are doing this and we would like to continue these meetings,” the Russian president said.