COPENHAGEN - French President Jacques Chirac held talks here yesterday with the prime ministers of Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, with Iraq and the war against terror high on the agenda, the president's office said.

With Mahathir Mohamad, Chirac also discussed the situation in the Middle East after the Malaysian leader sent Asem (Asia Europe Meeting) heads of government a letter urging them to intervene on behalf of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who is besieged by Israeli troops in his West Bank headquarters.

Historic visit

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi discussed his historic visit to North Korea last week summit to be held in France next June, including the idea of an international tax to finance development aid to the third world, the Elysee Palace said.

International terrorism, the situation in southeast Asia and relations between the European Union and Asean were discussed at the meeting between Chirac and Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

All the meetings took place on the sidelines of the Asem conference being held here. — AFP