France, Iraq sign cooperation pacts on defense, science

PARIS. November 17. KAZINFORM French and Iraqi ministers signed two cooperation agreements on defense and culture and science in Paris on Monday, the first day of the visit by an Iraqi delegation headed by President Jalal Talabani; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Talabani had nearly one hour of talks in the Elysee Palace, where defense ministers and foreign ministers of both countries inked the above pacts respectively, local media reported.

"We would like to reinforce and deepen the relations between our two countries in domains of politics, military affairs, culture, oil industry, economy and commerce," Talabani told reporters following his talks with Sarkozy.

While having dinner with Talabani, Sarkozy expressed hope that Iraq would have a new future; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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