Sarkozy in a hurry as he bounds on to world stage

By Crispian Balmer

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany (Reuters) - France's new President Nicolas Sarkozy has leapt on to the world stage with a rare burst of energy, making it clear he wants to make a rapid mark on international affairs.

Attending his first Group of Eight summit, Sarkozy rushed from one meeting to another, poured out diplomatic initiatives, slapped backs, shook hands and apologized for running late.

His all-action style stood in stark contrast to the final international outings of his predecessor Jacques Chirac, who appeared a spent force after suffering a health setback in 2005.

Sarkozy stormed to election victory last month, wowing many voters with his dynamism and blunt speaking. Something of a novice in international relations, the French president has sought to bring the same qualities to the G8 gathering.

"Just because we are dealing with international affairs and diplomacy, there is no reason to be abstruse," Sarkozy told reporters on Thursday, distancing himself from the subtle, convoluted language that made French diplomacy famous.

"Perhaps if you talk frankly you find solutions more quickly. Sometimes ... one uses so many codes that at the end no one is sure if they heard or understood something different," he added, obviously relishing the rarefied, G8 air.

Sarkozy presented French initiatives to resolve tensions with Russia over the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo and moved to speed up diplomatic efforts to end the crisis in Sudan's violent Darfur.

He also struck a deal with British Prime Minister Tony Blair over a "simplified treaty" to reform EU institutions and said he played an important role in helping German host, Chancellor Angela Merkel, clinch a G8 deal on global warming.

"I have helped Madame Merkel, president of the G8, to obtain this success, but I want her to help me to get a simplified treaty," Sarkozy said with unusual candor.

WINNING PRAISE

Merkel did not make any immediate comment on Sarkozy's contribution to the climate talks, but she, like many other leaders, welcomed his general approach.

"Thank you Nicolas for your energy," Merkel said at the end of the first working session, according to someone in the room.

The Russians also gave Sarkozy the thumbs up after a long bilateral with President Vladimir Putin, where the French leader said he raised thorny issues like human rights, gay rights, Chechnya and a spate of journalist killings.

"It seemed to me that the president was impressed by the openness and energy and consistency of President Sarkozy and I am sure that their relationship will develop well," Kremlin foreign policy aide Sergei Prikhodko told a news conference.

Reflecting the relaxed atmosphere of the event, Sarkozy was seen joking with his counterparts, handing a mystery phone call to Putin on Heiligendamm's manicured lawns and waving his hands like the conductor of an orchestra during talks with Blair.