PARIS - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had a 45 minutes long meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Bilawal and Assefa Zardari also accompanied him. The meeting was followed by a two minute long Press briefing in which President Zardari told the media people that the meeting had taken place in a very pleasant atmosphere. President Sarkozy was fully aware of the Pakistan affairs and he would visit Pakistan by the end of this year. Prior to his visit, a joint group will be formed to look into the requirement of Pakistan and the arrangements of Sarkozy visit, Zardari said. President Sarkozy also assured complete cooperation of European Union to Pakistan regarding flood affectees. Energy crisis in Pakistan was also discussed in the meeting and France assured full cooperation here too. Meanwhile the analysts have termed this tour of the Pakistani head of the state, as more to the interest of the Zardaris, than for the sake of Pakistani people. Introducing the Zardari children to the president of the strongest EU countries is, in fact, a move to bring these young people in the field of politics, they said, adding that the president was doing all this at the expense of national exchequer collected from poor peoples earning. The President is also scheduled to visit his father Hakim Ali Zardari who lives in a big villa in the suburbs of Paris, for which the President has hired a helicopter. Agencies add: France sees Pakistan as a reliable friend, President Asif Ali Zardari said Monday after meeting his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. France feels that Pakistan is a responsible partner with them in the world, Zardari told reporters at the Elysee Palace, adding that Sarkozy would visit Pakistan later in the year. The talks took place on the first day of a five-day trip by Zardari to France and Britain, a visit which has been overshadowed by British Prime Minister David Camerons charge that elements in Pakistan 'export terror. Zardari did not explicitly address the British allegations, and the French officials had previously said that Sarkozy would raise security concerns in his talks with the Pakistani leader. I have the presidents word that he is coming to Pakistan by the end of the year, Zardari said after leaving the talks with Sarkozy. Pakistans issues, problems, whether its the flood or whether its terrorism, he is fully aware of that. He is an international leader who understands, and he is someone who feels for the people of Pakistan. So weve come to an understanding that France will be helping us, and we will obviously support the French positions in different situations. Zardari has further meetings in Paris, notably lunch with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, and is due to fly on to Britain late Tuesday. He will meet Cameron on Friday at the British leaders country retreat. Salman Bashir said that France would help Pakistan in overcoming the energy crisis. French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged President Zardari on Monday to step up his countrys fight against terrorism, during a visit overshadowed by a spat between Pakistan and Britain. However, French officials said Sarkozy was conciliatory in the talks with Zardari, which did not touch on either the leaked military documents, or Camerons comments. (Sarkozy) encouraged Pakistan to continue the efforts it has already made and to extend them further, a senior French official told journalists after the meeting. Pakistans support is necessary to succeed in Afghanistan and its also in the interest of Pakistan that we succeed in Afghanistan, the official said. Frances ties with Islamabad have been clouded by a French law last month banning Muslim women from wearing a veil covering their faces in public, which prompted protests by hundreds of Muslims in Karachi. A French official said France and Pakistan had decided to build stronger counterterrorism ties and that Islamabads position had changed the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. In two years weve seen a very important change on the behalf of Pakistani officials, were on a different planet, he said, insisting that Islamabad was aware of the danger the Pakistani Taliban posed to Pakistan. Asked about Camerons remarks, the French Foreign Ministry and the Elysee were both cautious, neither criticising Camerons frankness nor Pakistans record in counterterrorism. During the discussions, where Minister for Defence Ch Ahmad Mukhtar and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir assisted President Zardari, both the countries moved closer to initiating a framework for strategic dialogue focussing on increased interaction in political, trade and economic areas besides upgrading their defence and security ties. Zardari and Sarkozy also agreed for closer cooperation in a joint fight against extremism and terrorism. The two sides also agreed on having a joint economic commission to boost their economic and trade ties. President Zardari said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with France and stressed comprehensive up-gradation of bilateral ties with enhanced trade, investments, sustainable market access and deeper mutual cooperation in other areas that could prove beneficial for both the countries. The two leaders noted that their countries could move further closer with increased interaction between their private sectors that would generate economic activity in the long term interests of their two peoples. President Zardari also stressed the need for expansion of defence and security ties and said it would help the country in its ongoing military operation against terrorism. The two leaders besides reviewing the bilateral ties also discussed the role Pakistan was playing against the extremists and terrorists and efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, and the region. Sarkozy reaffirmed his support to democracy in Pakistan and appreciated the progress the country had made in this regard. President Sarkozy emphasized the necessity for Pakistan to pursue its efforts against Taliban extremism and other terrorist groups. He underscored Frances readiness to enhance its cooperation with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. He also discussed with President Sarkozy Pakistans energy situation, and said there was a vast scope for investment in renewable energy like solar, wind and coal, to help the country meet the energy shortfall. He also appreciated France role within the framework of Friends of Democratic Pakistan since its creation. Afterwards, Zardari visited the Guimet Museum in Paris, which is hosting a major exhibition of pre-Islamic art from Gandhara. On Tuesday, Zardari was to meet French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner for a working lunch expected to address regional issues and European humanitarian aid in the wake of this weeks deadly Pakistani floods. After his official schedule, Zardari was to make a brief private visit to Normandy in northern France where his family owns a holiday home.