ASIA AND WORLD ECONOMY: Mr Lee says Mr Sarkozy recognises that the future of the world economy would move towards Asia. -- POOL PHOTO: AP

After their 30-minute meeting, Mr Lee told The Straits Times that they had discussed 'the rise of Asia, China, India and the lift that it is giving Asean'.

Mr Sarkozy 'recognised that the big growth is in Asia and that's where the future of the world economy will move towards', said Mr Lee.

And the French leader said he expected to visit China.

Mr Lee also took the opportunity to invite Mr Sarkozy to visit Singapore. A suggested period was November as the Asean leaders' meeting would be held in Singapore then, and Mr Sarkozy could then meet all 10 Asean leaders.

The French President expressed interest and asked his aides to look into arrangements, as well as possibly tie in a visit to India on the way. Asked if Mr Sarkozy showed particular interest in Asean, Mr Lee said: 'Yes. He understood it.'

Giving his assessment of Mr Sarkozy, who took over from Mr Jacques Chirac last month, Mr Lee noted: 'He is a younger man, more active, with new ideas, wanting to get France moving in a more dynamic direction.'

He noted that whether the French leader would succeed would depend largely on how many reforms he could push through in his first year. 'If he gets the major part of his programme through in the first year, then there will be results by his fourth year, and his re-election will be a certainty,' he said.

Mr Lee is in France on a week-long visit to attend the international advisory committee meeting of French oil company Total International.

His visit ends tomorrow.