A report from Kinshasa says that France is preparing to strengthen ties with the Democratic Republic of Congo after what has, in effect, been a ten-year break in relations.
The French news agency AFP said the announcement was made by the French overseas cooperation minister, Charles Josselin, who is in Kinshasa to meet President Laurent Kabila.
Mr Josselin said Paris wanted to renew what he called real cooperation with the former Belgian colony.
He didn't give any further details.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service