Regular meetings between the Russian and French boost the development of bilateral relations, Ivanov noted.
Russia and France have common positions on the current international developments, he stressed.
Both Russia and France believe that 2004 must become a year of the UN renovation, the Russian Foreign Minister noted.
According to him, the world is now facing common threats. "Russia and France should be united in this process", Ivanov said.
On his part, Dominique de Villepin pointed out certain dynamism in the development of Russian-French relations, in particular, in economic sphere.
"It is necessary to mobilize our efforts to combat all the challenges the international community is currently encountering", the Russian foreign minister said.
In addition, the Russian and French ministers are to discuss Russia's relations with the European Union and the vital international problems.
