The international financial crisis and fighting piracy are topping the agenda of a meeting between the foreign ministers of France and Singapore, AP reported. France also is seeking to deepen its ties with ASEAN, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and George Yeo, the foreign minister of Singapore, also are likely to focus on that relationship, as well as other regional issues such as Myanmar, when they meet later Tuesday. Singapore is France's No. 1 economic partner in Southeast Asia and is key to its investment strategy in the region. Kouchner and Yeo are expected to sign a cultural cooperation agreement when they meet in Paris.
