Sarkozy’s Advisor calls on President Zardari

Admiral Edouard Guillaud, Advisor to the President Sarkozy of France Thursday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed matters relating to Pak-France cooperation in different areas.The Ambassador of France and other senior officials who travelled with Admiral Guillaud were also present in the meeting.Defence Minister Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar and Interior Minister Rehman Malik besides senior officials, attended the meeting.

The issues of Friends of Pakistan initiative, the rehabilitation of internally displaced people and the drive against militants also came under discussion.
Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that during President Zardari recent visit to France it was decided to enhance and explore new areas of cooperation in the fields of energy including civilian nuclear power plants for peaceful purposes, trade, civil aviation and defence.

President Sarkozy also deeply admired President Zardari for seeking to root out militancy and promised complete assistance and support to Pakistan.

The French President had also announced 300 million Euro aid in economic assistance and another 12 million Euro for rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons in Pakistan during President Zardari’s visit, he said.

During visit to France, it was also agreed to work out a framework for cooperation agreement within the next three months to comprehensively cover cooperative relationship between the two countries, the Spokesperson said.

Admiral Guillaud visit to Pakistan is part of efforts aimed at further boosting Pakistan-France relations in the wake of Zardari-Sarkozy meetings in May last, the Spokesperson said.