Russia tried to ease European concerns over its business maneuvers like investment in the European aerospace consortium and the withdrawal of permits to western oil companies in Russia. France, Germany and Russia met over the weekend at a castle in the north of Paris where these issues came up.
A Russian state-controlled bank has acquired a 5.02 percent stake in EADS and the government is believed to want to increase the stake. Speculation that Russia might gain a position on the board of the European consortium was rebuffed by EADS and French Finance Minister Thierry Breton.
However at the meeting in Paris, Putin stated that the acquisition "is not at all the sign of an aggressive behavior on the part of Russian partners" and that they "will not use this stake to change in any way the institutional situation of EADS."
Concern was also evinced over the future of French oil giant Total in Russia. There have been indications that Total may lose its license for the Kharyaga oil field. Putin told reporters in Paris that these were "greatly exaggerated rumors".
French officials believe that Putin's words are solid guarantees for France's investments in Russia.
Though Putin did not address the disagreements with ExxonMobil or Shell over contracts and revoked licenses, he assured western countries that he was aware of the co-dependent nature of energy suppliers and consumers. He also indicated that some oil resources would be redirected to Europe.
Russia also signed two "Memoranda of understanding" which act as blueprints for potential contracts worth more than $10 billion.
One MOU is between French construction giant Vinci and the Russian Transportation Ministry for a highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The other looks at possible cooperation on railroad, transportation and infrastructure in Russia between the Russian and French transportation ministries.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany insisted on the need for "reliable partners," between Europe and Russia, in energy matters.
Besides business matters, the three countries also discussed current diplomatic issues.
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