Chirac to meet Iraqi President Talabani

French President Jacques Chirac is to meet his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani Thursday in the Presidential palace l'Elysee.

Talabani is to make a four-day visit to France from Wednesday to Saturday, which will be the second visit of an Iraqi president to France since 2003, French Presidential office said.

During Thursday's meeting, Chirac and Talabani will discuss the situation in Iraq.

Four ministers will accompany Talabani in his visit to France: Foreign Affairs Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Industry and Resources Minister Fawzi Al-Hariri, Education Minister Khudair Al-Khuzaie and Science and Technology Minister Raid Jahid Fahmi.

They are to meet French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy and President of National Assembly Jean-Louis Debre.

According to the Presidential office, France has decided to rub out 80 percent, or 4 billion euros (5 billion dollars) in Iraqi debt.

Source: Xinhua