Almotamar.net - The French President Nicolas Sarkozy affirmed Monday that Yemen has become an impor5tant economic partner of France especially in the field of energy.

In a telegram of congratulations he sent to President Al Abdullah Saleh on the 17th National Day of Yemen Sarkozy pointed out that the two countries' relations is prevailed by joint dialogue and sincere friendship that characterized for many years the meeting between leaderships of the two countries. He said he is pleased on the occasion of the Yemeni Republic National Day to send his warmest greetings and best wishes to President Saleh and the Yemeni people.

The French president said the existing activities between France and Yemen will witness a new stage through renewal of the document by the French minister for cooperation and development Brigitte Geraldine during her visit to Yemen on 8 March.

Sarkozy also affirmed to President Saleh his sticking to enhancing these orientations associating the two countries.