ISLAMABAD, JULY 4, SPA – Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri has embarked on a 10-day visit to the United States and France, officials said. After paying a three-day trip to France, Kasuri will visit the United States from July 6 to 14. He will hold talks with his French counterpart Philippe Douste-Blazy on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. The President (Chairman) of the Senate of France, Senator Christian Poncelet, and the President (Speaker) of the National Assembly, Jean-Louis Debre, will meet the Foreign Minister. Kasuri will also be a luncheon guest of Edotard Balladur, former Prime Minister of France and President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly. He will address the French Institute of International Affairs. Kasuri will go to Washington at the invitation of US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice. The Foreign Minister will hold talks with Dr. Rice on 10th July on matters of bilateral interest, regional and international issues besides situation in Afghanistan, status of the composite dialogue process with India and other issues of mutual concern. He will also meet National Secretary Adviser Steve Headley. During his visit, Kasuri will also meet with Senator Richard Lugar, Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Congressman Henry Hyde, Chairman, International Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives and a number of prominent members of the Congress. --SPA 04/07/2006 11:06 ت م www.spa.gov.sa/373176