French president visits Mexico

Speaking at Mexico's National Palace on Monday, Sarkozy praised Calderon for Mexico's "courageous and determined battle" against drug cartels. Drug violence claimed more than 6,200 lives in 2008.

Sarkozy had planned to focus the trip on strengthening economic ties with Mexico. He was accompanied by executives from Airbus parent EADS, energy giant GDF-Suez, major food maker Groupe Danone SA, drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA, top cement maker Lafarge SA and others.

Among new contracts expected were a vaccine production plant for Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis; a deal for France's Thales Group to supply Mexico with video surveillance cameras; and a helicopter deal.

France also was likely to offer Mexico help in reviving its nuclear industry. France is a major nuclear power advocate and nuclear reactor maker.

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Associated Press writer Christine Ollivier contributed to this report from Paris.