MOSCOW, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin urged joint international efforts to fight terrorism on Friday at a meeting in Moscow with French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen.

"We all live in very difficult conditions. We must realize the reality of this danger and unite efforts in the fight against terrorism," Putin told the French right-wing leader, according to an official Kremlin transcript.

Putin said Russia has no intention of influencing domestic affairs in France but reserves the right to maintain contacts with representatives of all political forces in that country.

"I know that you represent a fairly rapidly developing range of European political forces," Putin told the presidential hopeful, adding that Russian officials are interested in exchanging opinions with her on bilateral relations and the situation in Europe.

"I have long advocated that Russia and France should restore cultural, economic and strategic ties, especially at the moment when a serious terrorist threat looms over us," Le Pen said at the meeting.

Earlier on Friday, she said that she opposes a European Union blacklist banning several Russian nationals, including lawmakers, from entering its member countries.

"I have always called for lifting the sanctions, which are counterproductive. Prohibiting lawmakers from talking with each other is an abuse of democratic rights," Le Pen was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

Le Pen is now running for the French presidency on behalf of the far-right National Front party. The first round of presidential elections in France is scheduled for April 23.

Le Pen is visiting Russia at the invitation of the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament.