国际英语新闻：Sarkozy's visit aims at stronger cooperation on issues of bilateral interests

MADRID, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The state visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Spain on Monday-Tuesday was aimed at stronger cooperation on several major issues of bilateral interests.

    Under the Declaration of Interior Security, signed by Sarkozy and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, the two European neighbors will work closely together in fighting the Basque separatist group ETA, illegal immigration and organized crime.

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (L) accompanies French President Nicolas Sarkozy in reviewing the guard of honor in Madrid, capital of Spain, April 28, 2009. The 21st summit of Spain and France was held in Madrid on April 28.

"We will not lower our guard against this curse. We will act against the hateful face of ETA or Al Qaeda, given that we have to protect our citizens and give justice to the victims and preserve the democracies we have the honor of representing," Sarkozy said at a gala dinner held in his honor on Monday night.

    The two leaders also agreed to establish "a strategic planning and coordination committee" to enhance their countries' cooperation against terrorism and organized crime.

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (R2 Front) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L2 Front) pose for a family photo with Spanish and French officials in Madrid, capital of Spain, April 28, 2009. The 21st summit of Spain and France was held in Madrid on April 28

An upturn in ETA activity, ranging from street violence to car bombs and assassinations, was seen after the moderate Basque Nationalist (PVN) Party lost power in recent elections in the Basque Autonomous Community.

    It is in the interests of both Spain and France that the current levels of police cooperation are maintained or even increased.

    Mainly operating in Spain, key ETA figures, such as Jurdan Martitegui, were detained recently in France. Furthermore, there are four Basque speaking provinces on the French side of the border.

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (R) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy hold a press conference in Madrid, capital of Spain, April 28, 2009. The 21st summit of Spain and France was held in Madrid on April 28.

Illegal immigration is another headache of both France and Spain.

    Spain has borne the brunt of illegal immigration from sub-Saharan Africa, as desperate people try to escape a life of poverty.

    However, as many of those who attempt the dangerous sea crossings are from French speaking countries, France is their destination.

    Sarkozy has always acted strongly against illegal immigration, while Spain has been toughening its stance in recent months.

    The Spanish Interior Ministry has announced a drastic reduction in the numbers of illegal immigrants crossing its frontiers, partly due to the economic crisis, but also the tougher stance that has been taken.

    The battle against organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking is also a point of issue.

    Recent studies have shown that Spain is the country that has by far the highest number of 200-euro and 500-euro notes in circulation. That in itself is an indication that large amounts of money are being passed around in the country with few questions being asked.

    On dealing with the current global economic crisis, Sarkozy said that Spain should be present at the Group of 20 summit.

    "France asks for and demands that Spain, the eighth biggest economy in the world, participates in the work of the G-20," Sarkozy said during his visit.

    "The world needs a Spain that exercises all of its international responsibilities," he said.

    Thanks to the lobbying of then European Union's French presidency, Spain attended the summits of the G20 industrialized and emerging economies in Washington in November and in London early this month.

    But it is not clear whether Spain will be invited to the next such summit, slated for September in New York, Zapatero said on Tuesday.

    Sarkozy also used his visit to promote a high-speed rail link between the two counties.

    At the moment the high-speed link between Madrid and Perpignan, via Barcelona, is scheduled to be complete by 2012. However, the French connection between Perpignan and Montepllier is not expected to be finished for a further eight years.

    "What we need now is less talk and more decisions," he told the Madrid Parliament.

    The two countries also agreed to push for an international conference on Somalia to deal with piracy off the Somali coast and try to rebuild the African country.