31 August 2004

SOCHI - Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed international terrorism and the situation in Iraq with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Tuesday.

"The meeting was very useful and productive," Putin said after the first round of talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. "We discussed all important issues".

The three leaders were due later in the day to discuss environmental affairs, including the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gases.

The protocol cannot come into force until it is ratified by the Russian parliament.

The meeting in Sochi is the third between the three leaders since April 2003 when they formed a coalition opposing the war in Iraq. 

Chirac's arrival was delayed by several hours due to the crisis around two French hostages being held in Iraq.

The Iraqi kidnappers of the two French journalists extended their execution deadline for the journalists by 24 hours, and are demanding that France cancel its new law that bans Islamic headscarves in French schools.

DPA

Subject: German news