TANANARIVE, July 21 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac arrived here Thursday to attend the summit of Indian Ocean Commission consisting of five island countries.

    Chirac, who is on behalf of France's overseas department of Reunion, will join heads of state from Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles in the summit scheduled for Friday.

    This is the third visit by the French president to the former French colony island.

    With the main theme of "Build our common home and strengthen unity for the sustainable development," the one-day summit will focus on four subjects: political and diplomatic cooperation and safety, sustainable development and unity, economic and trade cooperation and enhancement of similarity of regional culture.

    The Indian Ocean Commission was established in January 1984 in Port Louis of Mauritius by the ministers of foreign affairs of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, and subsequently, in February 1986, Comoros and France (for Reunion) joined the commission.

    The commission aims to promote cooperation among the countries of the southwest Indian Ocean, particularly in economic development. Enditem