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Sarkozy not to meet Dalai Lama in France this month

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-07 12:48

PARIS -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy will not meet the Dalai Lama during the latter's 11-day stay in France in the coming week, the Elysee Palace said in a communique Wednesday.

The communique was released two days before Sarkozy's visit to Beijing for the Olympic opening ceremony.

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The Dalai Lama will visit France on August 12-23.

In a joint interview with some Chinese media operating in France, Sarkozy stressed the significance of the friendly Sino-French relations, saying that the friendship between the Chinese and French people is embedded in the long history, everlasting and unshakable.

The president said his visit to Beijing would prove that the friendship between France and China is a fundamental axis of France's foreign policy which conforms the deep aspirations of both peoples and is a necessary factor in building a more just, safe and harmonious world order.

Sarkozy will leave soon for the Olympic opening ceremony Friday.

During his short stay in Beijing, he will meet with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to discuss vital issues as well as future cooperation.