Europe needs strategic dialogue with Russia: Macron

Russia is a European power, therefore Europe needs strategic dialogue with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday during a visit to Latvia, reported Xinhua.

"There are topics on which we have different opinions [with Russia]," said Macron at a press conference in the Latvian capital Riga. "But there are topics on which we can work together with Russia."

Such cooperation with Russia could help solve regional conflicts like the one over Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Macron noted.

"If we do not involve Russia, we will not solve these questions. Therefore I want to renew the dialogue," the French president said.

He added that "Latvia's future will be better if we have a common dialogue with Russia."

Wednesday is the second day of the French president's visit to Latvia, during which he met with President Egils Levits and Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins.