French President Nicolas Sarkozy left Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday after wrapping up a two-day visit here which local analysts said focused on economic and energy cooperation rather than security issue.
Contrary to a visit by U.S. President George W. Bush, which is to focus on security topics, business and economic issues were high on the agenda of Sarkozy's trip here, local analysts said.
Sarkozy, accompanied by a delegation which groups several ministers and business leaders, arrived in the oil-rich kingdom on Sunday, kicking off his first Gulf tour since taking office in May2007.
During his stay in Riyadh, Sarkozy and Saudi King Abdullah signed four cooperation agreements, including one for expanding oil and gas cooperation, two others for university training in France and professional training, and a fourth one for "political dialogue."
Meanwhile, the two leaders reviewed a package of contracts related to defense, air and rail transport, power and water plants worth nearly 58.4 billion U.S. dollars.
Sarkozy said French companies would in the weeks and months ahead sign "immense contracts" with Riyadh.
Local media said his visit is apparently meant to boost business and economic cooperation between the two countries, and open up investment opportunities for French firms on Saudi territories, the biggest economy among the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Before leaving for Doha, Sarkozy offered services of his country's Atomic Energy Commission to explore the possibilities of a civil nuclear energy program in Saudi Arabia.
Several hours after Sarkozy left the Saudi capital, U.S. President George W. Bush flew into Riyadh on Monday afternoon from the United Arab Emirates.
Similarly, it is the first visit to Saudi Arabia by Bush since he took office in 2001.
Analysts said President Sarkozy seemed to have left military and security issues to President Bush though both presidents are emphatically opposing the Iranian nuclear program.
"Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror," President Bush said in Abu Dhabi.
He underlined that Iran is threatening the security of the world, calling on Arab allies to join efforts of the United States to confront the danger "before it's too late."
President Sarkozy, though sharing the same fears with President Bush, opted to open "soft" issues with Saudi officials and leave the "hot" ones to Bush who dares to speak loudly against Iran, Syria and Hezbollah, analysts added.
Source:Xinhua
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