French president visits Madagascar
PARIS, July 21 (UPI) -- French President Jacques Chirac arrived in Madagascar Thursday in a bid to shore up bilateral relations and participate in a regional Indian Ocean meeting.
Chirac's two-day visit to Madagascar, one of the world's poorest countries, comes at a time of improved relations between France and its former colony.
Ties eroded in 2002, when Paris was one of the last Western countries to recognize the legitimacy of President Marc Ravalomanana, following contested elections.
While France is Madagascar's top aid provider and trading partner, other countries -- notably Germany -- are making investment inroads into the Indian Ocean country.
Chirac, representing the French overseas department of Reunion, will participate in the Indian Ocean Commission summit, scheduled for Friday, along with heads of state from Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved
Chirac's two-day visit to Madagascar, one of the world's poorest countries, comes at a time of improved relations between France and its former colony.
Ties eroded in 2002, when Paris was one of the last Western countries to recognize the legitimacy of President Marc Ravalomanana, following contested elections.
While France is Madagascar's top aid provider and trading partner, other countries -- notably Germany -- are making investment inroads into the Indian Ocean country.
Chirac, representing the French overseas department of Reunion, will participate in the Indian Ocean Commission summit, scheduled for Friday, along with heads of state from Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved
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