Bucharest, Feb 4 /Rompres/ - Considerable political meaning is attached to the Bucharest visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, as talks approached the strategic partnership with Romania, that includes priority areas for the two states, President Traian Basescu said at the end of the official talks he and President Sarkozy had at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

Traian Basescu underscored that France will get Romania's entire support for the accomplishment of the goals it will set itself while holding the EU Presidency in the second half of the year.

According to the Romanian President, the visit to Bucharest of the French head of state is a sign of appreciation Romania is particularly sensitive to.

"The Romanians paid high attention to this visit that is full of substance from the political standpoint. We had a lunch and an official meeting where we discussed the implementation of a strategic program, of a France-Romania, Romania-France strategic relation. The context of the visit is linked in the first place to the long tradition of French-Romanian relations and the upcoming French EU Presidency. I thank President Sarkozy for the briefing he delivered us on France's priorities during its term at the EU helm and I inform you that France will get all Romania's support, in its capacity as member state, for the goals of its Presidency due to start on July 1 to be fully accomplished, " said Basescu.

He added that the strategic partnership covers priority areas of the bilateral relation such as political dialogue and partnership aimed at economic development. "Our strategic relation will include academic and scientific staff mobility, the free circulation of persons, defence and security at European level,' added the head of the Romanian state.

"Romania will make an exceptional partner for France and we will see that this partnership, that is effective for five years, becomes reality in keeping with the roadmap agreed upon by the two governments, " Basescu said.

In turn, President Sarkozy remarked that his visit to Romania takes place on the day the Bucharest Parliament pledged to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.

"I was touched by the honour the Parliament of Romania did me by giving me the chance to address the two joint Chambers, whereas the process for the parliamentary ratification of the Treaty was to start right after my speech," said Sarkozy.

He mentioned that Romania is a country with a heavy say in Europe, as the state with the seventh-strongest population, and France is Romania's third commercial partner.

"I told President Basescu that Romania's having been a EU member for just one year does not mean that it enjoys lesser expression rights than the other states. I want Romania to take its place within the European debate. We need a Romania with a strong voice at European level. Our strategic partnership will give us the possibility to actively cooperate in the field of energy, especially nuclear energy, gas-generated energy and the weapons industry," Sarkozy said.

He mentioned that the due military talks will start in keeping to the roadmap, that is to follow the strategic partnership.

"Together with the President of Romania we decided to exchange opinions on elements that represent subjects of debate in Europe and at international level, for us to come to terms on our stances," said the President of France.

Nicolas Sarkozy added that he will "associate" the President of Romania to the EU Presidency "so as to ensure the success of France's term at the EU helm," adding that the two states will have consistence stances on the great majority of issues.

"France wants Romania to find its place in Europe," underscored Sarkozy.

He mentioned that France has always been at the side of Romania during the EU accession process, because this country is "important in terms of population and economic growth."

"For us it is a great honour to enjoy the confidence of Romanian entrepreneurs, of the Romanian government and President,' said Sarkozy, answering a question about the need to have the strategic partnership signed.