Putin in France seeking greater French investment in Russian economy

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Russian PM Putin in France for economic talks

RAMBOUILLET, France — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is holding talks aimed at deepening business and financial cooperation with France.

The two countries are seeking closer ties in the energy, automotive, transportation, and pharmaceutical sectors among others.

Putin is meeting Friday with his French counterpart at the Chateau de Rambouillet, once a royal and now a presidential residence, west of Paris. He is accompanied by several key ministers and a delegation of top Russian business executives.

Putin and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon are also to discuss global warming ahead of the Copenhagen climate change conference next month.

The Russian push for closer economic ties with France is aimed at bolstering the modernization of its economy.