Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while on an official visit to France, had breakfast with former French President Jacques Chirac before the start of the official programme
"We will always be happy to see you in Moscow or anywhere else in the Russian Federation," Mr Putin said, addressing Mr Chirac, with whom he has long enjoyed an informal relationship.
"We have an extensive programme today, and many things that you and I started together are continuing at a very dynamic pace," said Mr Putin. "We are moving closer to implementing the Kourou Programme, and we are actively cooperating in the field of aviation."
"Our French partners have a 30% stake in one of our major joint projects in the field of aviation - the SuperJet-100," added Mr Putin. "The engines made by our French partners are among the best in Europe."
Mr Putin also said, "In recent times, we have found new avenues of cooperation, ones that are promising, interesting and colossal in scale."
"Next year, we will hold a Year of France in Russia and a Year of Russia in France simultaneously, within the framework of which 130 different events are planned," said Mr Putin.
"We are enthusiastically preparing for this project, and I sincerely count on visiting Russia, if you'll invite me," answered Mr Chirac.
"You're already invited," Mr Putin said.
After the breakfast, Mr Putin gave Mr Chirac a copy of the film Formula of Power. Jacques Chirac. Afterword, produced by ITAR-TASS together with Russia State Television.
