Heads of Russia, France and Germany meet in Deauville

The French town of Deauville hosted a trilateral summit of the heads of Russia, Germany and France. During the meeting they discussed issues of abolishing the visa regime between Russia and EU countries, a treaty on European security and energy, as well as development of the relations between Russia and NATO, Russia and the EU, and the Iranian nuclear issue, RIA Novosti reports.

Discussions on Monday night focused on European security and foreign policy and Russia's relations with NATO. France and Germany are keen to include Russia in European security issues, while some in Washington and elsewhere in the EU have been less enthusiastic. Russia has expressed its interest in establishing visa-free access to the 27 EU countries - some of which are former Soviet republics or Cold War allies with which Moscow has had strained relations since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Washington Post reports.

After the summit Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced that Russia is considering a NATO proposal that Moscow take part in developing a US-led anti-missile shield for Europe, according to the Washington Post.