MOSCOW, November 10 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac on Thursday to discuss the situation in France and Russia’s upcoming presidency in the Group of Eight, the presidential press service reported.

During the conversation, Putin expressed sympathy and support to the leadership and people of France on the dramatic events in the country. The Russian president said he is convinced that measures taken by the French leadership help stabilise the situation in the country.

Chirac expressed gratitude for Russia’s solidarity. In addition, the French president praised interaction between the two countries: the contacts have intensified and allowed both states to solved the existing problems.

On international cooperation, Putin and Chirac discussed Russia’s upcoming chairmanship of the G-8. Chirac gave a high assessment to Russia’s preparations for the St. Petersburg summit to be held in the summer of 2006.