French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent his top diplomatic envoy to Turkey after the Turkish prime minister called for better communications with Paris, Sarkozy's office said Tuesday, according to AP. The visit by Jean-David Levitte, France's former ambassador to the United States and now Sarkozy's chief international adviser, follows efforts by Ankara to keep Turkey's European Union membership bid on track despite opposition from Sarkozy. The French leader's office had not officially announced the visit, but confirmed Tuesday that it took place Friday and Saturday. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the visit, but said he did not meet the French envoy. Erdogan said the visit was decided in a conversation with Sarkozy during which, he said, the two agreed Turkey and France were strategic partners in many areas and needed to improve communication.
