PARIS French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday pledged to step up contacts with Malaysia ahead of a key summit next year between developed and developing countries.

"As president of the G8 (industrialised countries), France will regularly consult with Malaysia, the current president of the Non-Aligned Movement," Chirac said after talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Paris.

June summit

The Non-Aligned-Movement of 114 mostly developing countries is to hold talks with the G8 countries following their June 2003 summit meeting in Evian, France.

Chirac pleged to "intensify the political dialogue with Malaysia as the G8 Evian summit approaches".

During their talks, Mahathir and Chirac also discussed the situation in Iraq and the Middle East, as well as economic relations. AFP