Russians sign 25 deals with French

— Russian businesses and the government signed at least 25 agreements with French companies, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced Friday, proclaiming “a real breakthrough” in economic relations between the two nations.

French electricity giant EDF will join Russia’s Gazprom in supporting the South Stream gas pipeline under the Black Sea and energy utility GDF Suez announced progress Friday in taking part in the Nord Stream pipeline.

Both pipelines compete with Nabucco, a proposed pipeline backed by the United States and the European Union that would deliver natural gas to Europe from the Caspian Sea region, competing with Russian gas supplies.

French carmaker Renault also said it was stepping in to help the struggling Russian auto producer Avtovaz with a $362 million contribution in technology transfers, production machinery and technological expertise.

Putin called France a “special partner” and told a news conference after meeting with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon that 25 agreements had been signed.

Besides the EDF and Renault, other major agreements signed included one between France’s Total oil giant and Russia’s Zarubezhneft, a pharmaceutical agreement and one on electricity.

Front Section, Pages 7 on 11/28/2009

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