Tough Questions for Putin in France

[CHIMO]

President Vladimir Putin will face tough questions over Russia's review of foreign energy contracts and attempt to acquire a bigger stake in EADS when he meets with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a summit in France this weekend.

The three leaders are also due to discuss Russia's evolving relationship with the European Union and to try and hammer out a common approach toward Iran's nuclear program.

Putin will kick off his visit Friday by meeting Chirac in Paris, where the two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including transportation and trade, and unveil a World War II monument in Le Bourget, a Kremlin spokesman said by telephone Thursday.

On Saturday, Putin, Chirac and Merkel will gather for an informal summit at a royal palace in Compiegne, a town outside Paris on the Oise River, where they will discuss energy and aerospace, as well as Russia's future with the EU and the Group of Eight.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/09/22/002.html