(Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is looking forward to visiting France and having cooperation with her new French counterpart Bernard Kouchner, the State Department said Friday. "There's a lot on the table for the U.S. and France in terms of being able to address issues of mutual concern around the globe, whether that's Iran or the Middle East or dealing with poverty alleviation in Africa or climate change," State Department spokesman Sean McComack told a news briefing. "There is a very strong bilateral relationship there that the secretary looks forward to continuing with her new counterpart," said McCormack. The spokesman said "she (Rice) plans on visiting France and seeing members of the new French government when there's a mutually convenient time."