Svetlogorsk, Russia, July 3, SPA -- President Vladimir Putin metwith his French and German counterparts near the Baltic Sea port of Kaliningrad on Sunday for talks focusing on the Russian exclave's special status and Moscow's often thorny relations with the European Union. Putin invited French President Jacques Chirac and GermanChancellor Gerhard Schroeder to take part in Sunday'sfestive celebrations marking the 750th anniversary of thefounding of Kaliningrad, which was a German city known asKoenigsberg until it was taken by Soviet troops in 1945. The presence of German and French leaders at the ceremonywas meant to underline Russia's close relationship withthose two nations, The Associated Press reported. Talks between Putin, Chirac and Schroeder were to focus onRussia's relations with the European Union. The EU is Moscow's largest trading partner, accounting formore than half of its trade, while Russia is a major energysupplier for Europe. The leaders were also to discuss Kaliningrad's specialstatus. The three leaders were expected to focus on theupcoming summit of the Group of Eight nations in Scotland. The Kremlin official said the three leaders also were todiscuss international issues such as the war in Iraq,Iran's nuclear program and reforming the United Nations.--SPA1243 Local Time 0943 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/274231