In Surprise Trip to Iraq, Sarkozy Urges Stronger Ties With Europe

BAGHDAD, Feb. 10 -- President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday became the first French head of state to visit Iraq, hoping to renew France's long-standing business ties with Iraq and erase resentment over France's opposition to the Iraq war.

"It is in the best interests of Europe to have a peaceful Iraq," Sarkozy told reporters at a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. "I wish other European heads of states would follow me to visit Iraq. My visit shows France 's commitment towards Iraq."

By coming to Iraq, analysts said, Sarkozy hoped to distinguish himself from his predecessor Jacques Chirac, whose opposition to the war in Iraq infuriated the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress. Sarkozy's trip was meant to signal a French attempt to promote closer ties with the United States and Iraq as the U.S. military reduces its presence in the country under a new American administration. Since Sarkozy took office in 2007, he has sought to broaden France's influence in the Middle East.

Sarkozy made it clear that French companies planned to play a significant role in Iraq's economic development, reviving a long business relationship in lucrative fields including the oil and weapons industries. For Iraq's leaders, French involvement could ease their dependence on the United States.

"I want to underscore France's desire to participate in the economic development of Iraq, the rehabilitation of its infrastructures," Sarkozy told reporters after meeting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. "Our collaboration has no limits."

Sarkozy praised Iraq's security improvements as well as last month's largely peaceful provincial elections, but he cautioned that the situation remained fragile.

Maliki signaled that Iraq's new leaders were willing to forget France's decision not to support the U.S.-led invasion. He said Iraq's ministers of oil and defense would visit France "to explore ways to increase cooperation." He said France would build a new embassy in Baghdad and open consulates in the southern city of Basra and the northern city of Irbil. France, he added, has forgiven 80 percent of its loans to Iraq.

During Saddam Hussein's government, France sold Iraq millions of dollars worth of weapons and helped build an experimental nuclear station near Baghdad. The station was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in 1981.

Sarkozy also said France was ready to help resupply the Iraqi army.

During the news conference, Maliki was asked about the recent comments made by Vice President Biden, who told congressional Democrats that the Obama administration would be aggressive in forcing Iraqi leaders to resolve their political divisions.

"Any talk of pressure or prodding of the Iraqi government is a talk whose time has elapsed," Maliki retorted. "The Iraqi government knows its responsibilities."