PARIS, May 13, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) -- Relations between France and Israel have been growing smoothly and have, since the election of President Nicolas Sarkozy a year ago, become somewhat a keen to a "love story," Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in an interview broadcast Tuesday. 

"This is not only a honeymoon, it is a love story. I think that Nicolas Sarkozy is a very good friend of Israel," said Olmert, who was speaking Monday during the interview that was broadcast on leading French radio channels such as RFI, Europe 1 and France Inter. 

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to conduct an official visit to Israel in June to coincide with the 60th anniversary since the founding of the Jewish state, according to French diplomatic sources. 

"Sometimes, there have been some tensions, and it has been a little difficult. But, thank God, these relations are currently at the level where they need to be," said the Israeli prime minister, attributing the development to the efforts of "a friendly president, a friendly government and a friendly people." 

"We hope that these relations will continue to develop in this direction," said Olmert, stressing that he "personally" appreciated the input of President Nicolas Sarkozy.