PARIS — President Dmitry Medvedev must follow through with his reform program and root out corruption, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, urging closer ties between Paris and Moscow.
Speaking at a state dinner Tuesday night in honor of the visiting Medvedev, Sarkozy said France and Russia had the same goals and needed to cooperate, burying the legacy of the Cold War.
"We have to close ranks, the Russians and the French, because we have the same objectives," Sarkozy said, adding that the two countries had to work together to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, notably in Iran.
He also said Medvedev should honor his domestic political commitments.
"Pursue your reform program, pursue your modernization program, pursue all your policies against corruption and for a rule of law … out of respect of your own promises," he said.
Nearly two years after Medvedev's election, analysts say there is little evidence that he is implementing promises to open Russia's controlled political system, modernize its oil-fueled economy and fight rampant corruption.
NGOs and business chiefs complain that corruption is as bad as ever or worse, while Kremlin-friendly governors accused of unethical behavior have been reappointed.
Sarkozy has been eager to forge close ties with Moscow since he took office in 2007, looking to make Paris a major commercial and diplomatic ally, and has tended to avoid delicate issues such as allegations of human rights abuses in Russia.
On Tuesday, he praised Medvedev's commitment to improving rights in Russia.
"Your attachment to the rule of law, to the respect for legality, for judicial security, for the defense of human rights greatly helps the rapprochement between our nations," he said.
Medvedev started his visit Monday, with his delegation of businessmen signing accords in the energy and transport sectors.
In a controversial move, Sarkozy also said France was in talks to sell four Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia, which would be Moscow's largest arms deal with a NATO country.
Washington and some East European allies have expressed concern at the proposed sale, fearing that it would greatly enhance Russia's capacity for rapidly deploying its forces.
Sarkozy has said if the West wants to engage Russia in constructive dialogue it has to treat it as an equal partner.
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