OREANDA-NEWS. April 24, 2014. "Exactly 10 years ago, the Association 'Franco - Russian Dialogue' was founded with the direct participation of the Russian and French presidents. Now, we can sum up the results of cooperation with our French partners and our friends. Today, we are doing everything to ensure that our countries have become 'the first swallows' in a new and good-neighbourly view of the world," said Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways and Co-Chairman of the Association on the Russian side.

Yakunin was speaking at a meeting of the Association's General Assembly in Paris, where he stressed that the Association's activities were contributing to the deepening of relations between the two countries in both cultural and economic aspects.

Speaking about Association's plans for 2014-2015, Vladimir Yakunin said that the most important topics will be the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War and preparations to celebrate the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

"The fact that the Assembly has taken place in such difficult times is the main result of its activity over the last 10 years. Gathered here are representatives from business and government. Relations with Russia are of interest to these people, and they wish to make friends and cooperate," said Vladimir Yakunin.

In turn, Thierry Mariani, the Association's co-Chairman on the French side, said that the Assembly had adopted a declaration which called for no sanctions to be applied because they would contradict the interests of both France and Russia. Members of the Franco-Russian Dialogue are in favour of peace and the continuation of cooperation between our countries.

In 2011, conferences in Paris and Moscow were held which were devoted to the formation of a single transport space between Russia and Europe and transport safety. In 2012, a number of events were held to mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and which were attended by President Vladimir Putin.

Last year was marked primarily by economic events. In February 2013, the first meeting of the Russia - France Business Council took place. On 28 November, the first Russia - France Economic Forum took place in Paris. The Forum was attended by representatives from Russian Railways, Vnesheconombank, RENOVA from Russia, and the French bank Societe Generale and other companies.