Saleh receives letter from Chirac

ANA’A, March 08 (Saba)- In his meeting with the French Minister Delegate for Cooperation, Development, and Francophony Brigitte Girardin, President Ali Abdullah Saleh received on Thursday a letter from the French president Jacques Chirac. The letter, in addition to bilateral relations, addressed regional issues and development of joint concern. It also contained appreciation for the approach followed by Yemen in modernization and development, quoting the last September elections as an example of Yemen’s adherence to principles of democracy. Based on its achievements in economic and social restructuring, Yemen was legible to receive support from donors in the London Conference last November, according to the letter. The letter also expressed France’s willingness to further increase efforts and aids to support democratic process in Yemen. The French minister stated that French companies intend to invest in Yemen. She also spoke highly about woman participation in development, pointing to different opportunities available for women to take part in politics. This confirms Yemen’s position as a democratic state taking the lead in the region, she said. KN/AMSABA