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Sarkozy: We are stronger together Sarkozy: We are stronger together
(40 minutes later)
President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France and Britain have "never been so close", during an historic address to both houses of the UK Parliament.President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France and Britain have "never been so close", during an historic address to both houses of the UK Parliament.
He said he wanted a new Franco-British "brotherhood", saying that what brought Britain and France together was "stronger than what separates us".He said he wanted a new Franco-British "brotherhood", saying that what brought Britain and France together was "stronger than what separates us".
His country would "never forget" what British people did to "free France" during the world wars, he said.His country would "never forget" what British people did to "free France" during the world wars, he said.
Peers and MPs gave him a standing ovation following the speech in French.Peers and MPs gave him a standing ovation following the speech in French.
Mr Sarkozy said France and Britain were stronger side by side, and the world admired the UK's "courage".Mr Sarkozy said France and Britain were stronger side by side, and the world admired the UK's "courage".
'Sensitivities' on Europe'Sensitivities' on Europe
He urged both countries to "overcome our long-standing rivalries and build together a future that will be stronger because we will be together".He urged both countries to "overcome our long-standing rivalries and build together a future that will be stronger because we will be together".
Instead of the famed "Entente Cordiale", he said there should now be an "Entente Amicale", marking the friendship of the two nations.Instead of the famed "Entente Cordiale", he said there should now be an "Entente Amicale", marking the friendship of the two nations.
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 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 class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7314300.stm">Call for joint migration policy
And France and Britain should work together to tackle the issues of energy, immigration, security and defence, he said.And France and Britain should work together to tackle the issues of energy, immigration, security and defence, he said.
Both have chosen nuclear power because "they understand this is the energy of the future".Both have chosen nuclear power because "they understand this is the energy of the future".
Mr Sarkozy said he knew Europe was a "sensitive issue" for many British people.Mr Sarkozy said he knew Europe was a "sensitive issue" for many British people.
But he insisted: "Europe needs the UK ... we can't build a prosperous, democratic, efficient Europe without the UK.But he insisted: "Europe needs the UK ... we can't build a prosperous, democratic, efficient Europe without the UK.
"Who could imagine Europe would be stronger without British dynamism?"Who could imagine Europe would be stronger without British dynamism?
"If we want to change Europe my dear British friends - and we Frenchmen do wish to change Europe - we need you inside Europe to help us do so, not standing on the outside.""If we want to change Europe my dear British friends - and we Frenchmen do wish to change Europe - we need you inside Europe to help us do so, not standing on the outside."
Afghanistan pledgeAfghanistan pledge
He said the "French-German axis" was an "indispensable driving force" in Europe, but in order to bring its 27 nations together "we need a French-British entente".He said the "French-German axis" was an "indispensable driving force" in Europe, but in order to bring its 27 nations together "we need a French-British entente".
He hinted that France might be open to reform of the Common Agricultural Policy - and said the two countries had to work together in the Middle East.He hinted that France might be open to reform of the Common Agricultural Policy - and said the two countries had to work together in the Middle East.
He added that he would propose increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.He added that he would propose increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.
"If these proposals are accepted, then France will suggest strengthening its presence," he said."If these proposals are accepted, then France will suggest strengthening its presence," he said.
To applause, he said: "We cannot afford to lose Afghanistan. We cannot afford to see the Taleban and Al Qaeda returning to Kabul. Whatever the cost, however difficult the victory, we cannot afford it. We must win."To applause, he said: "We cannot afford to lose Afghanistan. We cannot afford to see the Taleban and Al Qaeda returning to Kabul. Whatever the cost, however difficult the victory, we cannot afford it. We must win."
Earlier Mr Sarkozy and his new wife Carla Bruni met the Queen and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle at the start of a two day state visit to Britain.Earlier Mr Sarkozy and his new wife Carla Bruni met the Queen and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle at the start of a two day state visit to Britain.
HAVE YOUR SAYIt's about time the two most influential nations in Europe came together and forged a deeper friendshipMatt, London, UKSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYIt's about time the two most influential nations in Europe came together and forged a deeper friendshipMatt, London, UKSend us your comments
Both President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have said they want a new era of closer relations.Both President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have said they want a new era of closer relations.
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.
Mr Sarkozy is being accompanied by Ms Bruni - the supermodel-turned-singer who he married last month - and his mother-in-law.Mr Sarkozy is being accompanied by Ms Bruni - the supermodel-turned-singer who he married last month - 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.
Naked photoNaked photo
After the short journey to Windsor the French president inspected the guard of honour with the Duke of Edinburgh, while Ms Bruni, dressed in a sober grey coat and Jackie Kennedy-style hat, 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, dressed in a sober grey coat and Jackie Kennedy-style hat, 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.
But as she took centre stage, France's first lady had to suffer the embarrassment of some British newspapers publishing a nude photo of her from 1993.But as she took centre stage, France's first lady had to suffer the embarrassment of some British newspapers publishing a nude photo of her from 1993.
In an earlier interview with the BBC, 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.In an earlier interview with the BBC, 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.
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 presents 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 French London's viewsTHURSDAY 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 presents 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 French London's views
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.
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.
'Warm' relationship'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.
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.
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.