Paris - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is to meet later Monday with his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, to discuss relations between their two countries. Talabani's four-day stay is the first-ever state visit of an Iraqi president to France, and is the result of an invitation by Sarkozy.
The French president traveled to Iraq in February, while Prime Minister Francois Fillon was there in July.
The purpose of the trip is to highlight the normalization of bilateral relations following France's refusal to support the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein.
It is also expected to result in the signing of a number of defence, security, economic and cultural contracts.
Baghdad has ordered 25 French-built military helicopters in what Iraqi politicians billed as a deal showing their military independence, and the French energy giant Total is among dozens of international firms bidding for rights to develop Iraq's oil resources.
Iraq recently awarded two contracts to British, Chinese and US firms, the first Baghdad has awarded since it nationalized its oil resources more than 30 years ago, that it hopes will double its oil production.
The cost of the reconstruction of Iraq has been estimated at more than 500 billion dollars, and Paris and Baghdad have already signed several lucrative deals, mostly in matters of defence and security.
During his visit, Talabani is also expected to meet with top officials in the influential businessman's federation MEDEF.
