The French President, Jacques Chirac, and the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, have reiterated their support for NATO's air campaign against Yugoslavia but said that Russia must be involved in finding a peace settlement.

The two leaders, who opened a two-day summit in the southern French city of Toulouse, welcomed President Milosevic's indictment for war crimes in Kosovo.

They also discussed ways to strengthen the defence capabilities of the European Union.

Mr Schroeder said they both agreed that a European army corps, founded by France and Germany some ten years ago, should be strengthened and the EU should acquire more control over the military resources of European NATO members. The leaders are expected to discuss measures to reform EU institutions and stimulate the European economy to present to next week's EU summit in Cologne.