Paris, Sep 23 (DPA) French President Jacques Chirac has decorated his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, with the highest Legion of Honour designation, the Grand Cross, the French president's office said.

Putin was awarded the honour Friday "to salute his contribution to the friendship between France and Russia," Chirac's spokesperson, Jerome Bonnafont, said.

The announcement came after the two leaders held a working dinner at the Elysee Palace, the French president's seat, in Paris ahead of Saturday's trilateral summit meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.