Washington, Feb 24 (IANS) US President Barack Obama will meet his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy at the White House in March and discuss "strategic issues of mutual concern".
Obama will host Sarkozy March 30 and discuss a "broad range of strategic issues of mutual concern", According to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
The two presidents will discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iran, Middle East peace efforts, European security cooperation and sustaining global economic recovery, Xinhua quoted Gibbs as saying.
"France is an invaluable partner and ally of the US in our shared efforts to promote peace, security and prosperity around the world," Gibbs added.
As one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, also one of founders of EU and NATO, France has influence in the international affairs and is a close partner of the US.