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Putin, Chirac, Schroeder Discuss EU-Russian Ties
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=E13FBB:3919ACA

Russian president hosting leaders of France, Germany in Russia's
Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad  Russian President Vladimir Putin is
hosting the leaders of France and Germany in





President Vladimir Putin waves to the crowd during the celebrations
marking 750th anniversary of KaliningradRussia's Baltic Sea enclave of
Kaliningrad for talks aimed at boosting ties between Russia and the
European Union.

Kremlin officials say Mr. Putin, French President Jacques Chirac and
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder also will discuss Iran's nuclear
programs, the war in Iraq, and United Nations reforms.

EU members Lithuania and Poland, which border Kaliningrad, criticized
Moscow for being left out of Sunday's summit.

The talks coincide with ceremonies marking the 750th anniversary of
Kaliningrad.

On Saturday, the leaders of Russia's 89 regions attended anniversary
events meant to show Moscow's commitment to development in the
enclave.

German knights founded the city in 1255, calling it Koenigsberg. It
was renamed Kaliningrad after the Soviet Union annexed the territory
at the end of World War II.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.


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