French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin spoke to Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on Wednesday expressing his relief and happiness of the French government that President Musharraf remained safe in the December 25 attack.
He condemned the terrorist attack on the President's life as an act of grave villainy.
The two Foreign Ministers held a lengthy conversation covering bilateral, regional and international issues.
He said France has great respect for President Musharraf and regarded him a statesman of high stature.
Foreign Minister Kasuri briefed Foreign Minister Yillepin on the situation in South Asia. He told his counterpart of the far-reaching steps taken by Pakistan regarding unilateral declaration of cease-fire as well as removal of the ban on over-flights and other measures taken by Pakistan.
The French Foreign Minister appreciated the steps undertaken by Pakistan with regard to confidence building with India.
Kasuri, said there was need for India to resume a composite dialogue with Pakistan to discuss all issues including Kashmir.
He feared that the momentum generated by the current thaw will be difficult to maintain if a sustained dialogue was not resumed soon. Foreign Minister Kasuri expressed his appreciation for the interest shown by the international community in a resumption of a process of dialogue to resolve peacefully all issues including Jammu and Kashmir.
Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin invited the Foreign Minister to pay an official visit to France. Kasuri in turn invited him to Pakistan. Both the Foreign Ministers accepted the invitations.