Pakistan, France should chalk out roadmap: PM

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and France Thursday resolved to expand economic cooperation and continue with joint
fight against the menace of terror.
Admiral Edouard Guillaud, Advisor to the French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on President Asif Ali at the
Aiwan-e-Sadr.
It was a follow-up meeting of President Zardaris recent visit to France. Ambassador of France and other senior
officials were also present on the occasion.
Defence Minister Ch Ahmad Mukhtar and Interior Minister Rehman Malik besides senior officials attended the
meeting.
Matters pertaining to Pak-France cooperation in different areas, the Friends of Pakistan initiative, rehabilitation
of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and drive against militants also came under discussion during the
meeting.
Spokesman for President Farhatullah Babar said that during President Zardaris recent visit to France, both the
countries 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.
The French President also announced Euros 300 million in economic assistance and another Euros 12 million
for rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons in Pakistan during President Zardaris visit, he said.
It was also agreed to work out a frame work for cooperation agreement within the next 3 months to
comprehensively cover cooperative relationship between the two countries, the spokesman further said.
President Sarkozy had also announced to seek the support of the international community for the economic and
political stability of Pakistan, Babar said.
Admiral Guillauds visit to Pakistan is part of efforts aimed at further boosting Pak France relations in the wake
of Zardari-Sarkozy meetings in May last, Farhatullah Babar further said.
Meanwhile, Admiral Edouard Guillaud also called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime
Ministers House.
During the meeting Prime Minister proposed that the governments of Pakistan and France should chalk out a
roadmap for pragmatic cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy.
He said that a working group could be established to develop an agreed way forward on nuclear cooperation.
While highlighting army operation against the militants in Malakand division and FATA, the Prime Minister urged
the countries like France to extend their support to Pakistan by providing military equipment and assistance to
carry out the anti-terrorist action effectively.
He thanked France for its assistance pledged at Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo for the dislocated people
of the NWFP. Prime Minister stated that Pakistan was keenly looking forward to the visit of President Nicolas
Sarkozy and signing of two frameworks on defence, security and counter terrorism and on economic and energy
fields.
Admiral Guillaud acknowledged sacrifices rendered by the armed forces of Pakistan. He assured the Prime
Minister that France would provide military equipment including Tiger Helicopters to Pakistan.
He hoped that both sides would also make headway in trade, economic cooperation and civil nuclear energy
cooperation during the visit of French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade to Pakistan on July 20.