AUXERRE, France, Sept 16 - French President Jacques Chirac said on Tuesday that global economic prospects were looking better, with signs of a recovery being seen in the United States. "The first signs of a recovery are appearing," Chirac told a news conference, during a visit to Burgundy in central France. Chirac said his government would continue with reforms aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the French economy, which is precariously close to recession, after economic output shrank in the second quarter.//