TANANARIVE, July 27 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chiracsaid Tuesday during a short visit to Madagascar that his government will forgive the rest of the Indian Ocean island's debt amounting to nearly 70 million euros.

    "The aim is move on hand in hand into a much greater development effort," Chirac said at a press conference after talkswith Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana.

    France has already canceled parts of the debt owed to it by theIndian Ocean country which initially put at a total 4.7 billion dollars.

    According to Chirac's office, the French president's a few hours visit, his first to this former French colony, is aimed at enhancing ties between the two countries.

    The relations between France and Madagascar worsened in 2002 when France was one of the last western powers to recognize the legitimacy of Ravalomanana, who was elected late 2001.

    Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier started his four-legged trip to Africa Monday, aiming to address the problems in Sudan's Darfur region and other hot spots such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

    Barnier visited Senegal on Monday, and is to be in Darfur's El Fasher Tuesday and later to visit Chad. He will wrap up his African tour Wednesday after meeting South African President ThaboMbeki in Pretoria, discussing situations in the DRC.

    However, Chirac's trip to Madagascar might not necessarily be avital part of his country's diplomatic undertakings in Africa. Accompanied by his wife Bernadette, Chirac will fly later Tuesday to the French island of La Reunion for a 10-day holiday. Enditem