The foreign ministry has been gaining influence since Mr Primakov took charge, the more so since Mr Yeltsin's failing powers began restricting his capacity for summit diplomacy.

ECONOMIST: Still most awkward partners

Seven days of intense diplomacy before a European summit at the end of next week.

BBC: Eurozone solution in sight?

Instead of concentrating on fanfare diplomacy, like the Balkan summit France wants to convene, West European governments should be looking for ways to show their good faith to sceptics in both Serbia and Montenegro.

ECONOMIST: Matching Milosevic