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Sarkozy begins state visit to UK Sarkozy begins state visit to UK
(10 minutes later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni have been greeted at Windsor by the Queen at the start of a two-day state visit to Britain.French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni have been greeted at Windsor by the Queen at the start of a two-day state visit to Britain.
Mr Sarkozy shook hands with the Queen and Prince Philip, while his wife curtseyed, before the couples went by horse drawn carriage to Windsor Castle.Mr Sarkozy shook hands with the Queen and Prince Philip, while his wife curtseyed, before the couples went by horse drawn carriage to Windsor Castle.
Mr Sarkozy says he wants the UK and France to work "hand in glove" on issues like energy and immigration.Mr Sarkozy says he wants the UK and France to work "hand in glove" on issues like energy and immigration.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown also hailed a new era of closer relations.Prime Minister Gordon Brown also hailed a new era of closer relations.
WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTS Met at Heathrow by Prince of Wales and Duchess of CornwallJoins the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for state carriage procession to Windsor CastleAddresses members of both Houses of ParliamentMeets leaders of opposition at Buckingham PalaceWindsor Castle state banquet Analysis: A new era?In pictures: French state visit
During his visit, Mr Sarkozy will address both Houses of Parliament and meet Mr Brown at Westminster.During his visit, Mr Sarkozy will address both Houses of Parliament and meet Mr Brown at Westminster.
The Sarkozys will also attend a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle.The Sarkozys will also attend a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle.
'Franco-British brotherhood'
Mr Sarkozy's talks with Mr Brown are expected to cover issues ranging from global finance to Afghanistan.Mr Sarkozy's talks with Mr Brown are expected to cover issues ranging from global finance to Afghanistan.
The two leaders are also expected to unveil new co-operation on illegal immigration and nuclear energy.The two leaders are also expected to unveil new co-operation on illegal immigration and nuclear energy.
Don't you believe that the UK and France are stronger working hand in glove than turning our backs on one another? Nicolas SarkozyFrench President In pictures: French state visit
Mr Sarkozy is being accompanied by his new wife, the supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni - dressed in a sober grey coat and Jackie Kennedy-style hat - and his mother-in-law.Mr Sarkozy is being accompanied by his new wife, the supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni - dressed in a sober grey coat and Jackie Kennedy-style hat - and his mother-in-law.
They were met at Heathrow by Prince Charles, who kissed Ms Bruni's hand, and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.They were met at Heathrow by Prince Charles, who kissed Ms Bruni's hand, and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.
'Franco-British brotherhood'
After the short journey to Windsor the French president inspected the guard of honour with the Duke of Edinburgh, while Ms Bruni chatted with the Queen.After the short journey to Windsor the French president inspected the guard of honour with the Duke of Edinburgh, while Ms Bruni chatted with the Queen.
Ms Bruni, a fluent English speaker, will play a prominent role in the high-profile visit, acting as guest of honour at a lunch hosted by Mr Brown's wife Sarah on Thursday.Ms Bruni, a fluent English speaker, will play a prominent role in the high-profile visit, acting as guest of honour at a lunch hosted by Mr Brown's wife Sarah on Thursday.
In an interview ahead of the visit for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the French leader expressed admiration for what he described as British importance and dynamism.In an interview ahead of the visit for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the French leader expressed admiration for what he described as British importance and dynamism.
He called for the formation of a "new Franco-British brotherhood", saying Europe could not do without Britain's language, its strong economy and defence.He called for the formation of a "new Franco-British brotherhood", saying Europe could not do without Britain's language, its strong economy and defence.
HAVE YOUR SAYIt's about time the two most influential nations in Europe came together and forged a deeper friendshipMatt, London, UKSend us your commentsHe said he wanted the two countries' "Entente Cordiale" to become an "entente" of friendship.HAVE YOUR SAYIt's about time the two most influential nations in Europe came together and forged a deeper friendshipMatt, London, UKSend us your commentsHe said he wanted the two countries' "Entente Cordiale" to become an "entente" of friendship.
President Sarkozy, speaking in French, said he respected Britain's long-held ties with the US, but stressed that this should not interfere with it being at the heart of Europe.President Sarkozy, speaking in French, said he respected Britain's long-held ties with the US, but stressed that this should not interfere with it being at the heart of Europe.
"I perfectly understand that Britain should wish to keep its special relationship with the US, but that doesn't stop Britain from taking its rightful place in Europe," he said."I perfectly understand that Britain should wish to keep its special relationship with the US, but that doesn't stop Britain from taking its rightful place in Europe," he said.
Nuclear powers
To those British people calling for a referendum on the European treaty, he said: "We need you, the British, within Europe.To those British people calling for a referendum on the European treaty, he said: "We need you, the British, within Europe.
"This treaty respects differences - no-one is asking Britain to change its real identity. Keep your language, your culture, your interests," he said."This treaty respects differences - no-one is asking Britain to change its real identity. Keep your language, your culture, your interests," he said.
Nuclear powers
He emphasised France's commitment to the Nato-led alliance in Afghanistan, saying that his country had no intention of pulling out troops and may even be prepared to send in more.He emphasised France's commitment to the Nato-led alliance in Afghanistan, saying that his country had no intention of pulling out troops and may even be prepared to send in more.
SARKOZY VISIT, WEDNESDAY Met at Heathrow airport by Prince of Wales and Duchess of CornwallJoins the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for state carriage procession to Windsor CastleLays wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior in Westminster AbbeyAddresses members of both Houses of ParliamentMeets leaders of opposition at Buckingham PalaceWindsor Castle state banquet Analysis: A new era?
"In Afghanistan what's at stake, it's part of our battle against world terrorism," he said. "Do we need a new strategy in Afghanistan? Perhaps. Placing more trust in the Afghans themselves? The answer is yes."In Afghanistan what's at stake, it's part of our battle against world terrorism," he said. "Do we need a new strategy in Afghanistan? Perhaps. Placing more trust in the Afghans themselves? The answer is yes.
"Is the only response in Afghanistan a military one? Obviously not. Does France intend to pull out? Obviously not."Is the only response in Afghanistan a military one? Obviously not. Does France intend to pull out? Obviously not.
THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS Lays a wreath at statue of General de Gaulle and meets French war veteransVisits 10 Downing Street for talks with Gordon Brown Takes part in UK-France summit at Arsenal's StadiumVisits Greenwich and pesents Dame Ellen MacArthur with the Legion d'HonneurAttends reception at French embassy for French community in BritainAttends banquet at the Guildhall hosted by the Lord Mayor
"We have to see how long we are prepared to stay...If all the terms and conditions are met, why not send in more troops?""We have to see how long we are prepared to stay...If all the terms and conditions are met, why not send in more troops?"
Mr Sarkozy said an example of where the UK and France ties had worked was in the closing down of the controversial Sangatte immigrant camp while he was French home affairs minister.Mr Sarkozy said an example of where the UK and France ties had worked was in the closing down of the controversial Sangatte immigrant camp while he was French home affairs minister.
He said France and Britain, as two nuclear powers, should "work together" as members of the UN Security Council and as partners with "the same vision to reform international institutions"He said France and Britain, as two nuclear powers, should "work together" as members of the UN Security Council and as partners with "the same vision to reform international institutions"
"Don't you believe that the UK and France are stronger working hand in glove than turning our backs on one another?" he said."Don't you believe that the UK and France are stronger working hand in glove than turning our backs on one another?" he said.
'Concrete projects''Concrete projects'
The time had come to look for new ways for the countries to collaborate and pool resources, he said.The time had come to look for new ways for the countries to collaborate and pool resources, he said.
"It has been long enough now that we have not been at war, that we are not wrangling."It has been long enough now that we have not been at war, that we are not wrangling.
"Perhaps we can move from being cordial to being friendly - that's my first message."Perhaps we can move from being cordial to being friendly - that's my first message.
"My second message is that this friendship shouldn't simply be a matter of principle. I want [it] fleshed out by concrete projects on the economy, immigration, security, defence.""My second message is that this friendship shouldn't simply be a matter of principle. I want [it] fleshed out by concrete projects on the economy, immigration, security, defence."
Parliamentary address
The Sarkozys' 36-hour stay is the first full state visit by a French president for 12 years.The Sarkozys' 36-hour stay is the first full state visit by a French president for 12 years.
After a private lunch and a viewing of French items from the royal collection, Mr Sarkozy will travel to Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior.After a private lunch and a viewing of French items from the royal collection, Mr Sarkozy will travel to Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior.
Later he will address both Houses of Parliament from the Royal Gallery, followed in the evening by a state banquet.Later he will address both Houses of Parliament from the Royal Gallery, followed in the evening by a state banquet.
'Warm' relationship
On Thursday, the president will co-host a Franco-British summit at Arsenal Football Club's Emirates stadium, in north London.On Thursday, the president will co-host a Franco-British summit at Arsenal Football Club's Emirates stadium, in north London.
The club has strong links with France as its manager Arsene Wenger and a number of its players come from the country.The club has strong links with France as its manager Arsene Wenger and a number of its players come from the country.
'Warm' relationship
The president is said by officials in London and Paris to enjoy a "warm" relationship with Mr Brown, whom he has known since they were both finance ministers.The president is said by officials in London and Paris to enjoy a "warm" relationship with Mr Brown, whom he has known since they were both finance ministers.
SARKOZY VISIT, THURSDAY Lays a wreath at the statue of General de Gaulle and meets French war veteransVisits 10 Downing Street for talks with Gordon Brown Takes part in UK-France summit and press conference at Emirates StadiumVisits Greenwich with his wifePresents Dame Ellen MacArthur with the Legion d'Honneur at the Royal Naval CollegeAttends reception at French embassy for French community in BritainAttends banquet at the Guildhall hosted by the Lord Mayor
The two leaders are expected to focus on efforts to restore stability to global money markets with a call for banks to be clear about the scale of their bad debts.The two leaders are expected to focus on efforts to restore stability to global money markets with a call for banks to be clear about the scale of their bad debts.
They are also expected to suggest permanent representation for Africa on the UN Security Council.They are also expected to suggest permanent representation for Africa on the UN Security Council.
He is expected to use his visit to the UK to project a more statesmanlike image - in a bid to repair battered poll ratings that followed his marriage to Ms Bruni.