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Sarkozy seeks better ties with UK Sarkozy seeks better ties with UK
(about 1 hour later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged Britain and France to trust each other more and work together, ahead of his first state visit to the UK.French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged Britain and France to trust each other more and work together, ahead of his first state visit to the UK.
Mr Sarkozy called for the UK to work "hand in glove" with France to tackle issues like immigration and terrorism.Mr Sarkozy called for the UK to work "hand in glove" with France to tackle issues like immigration and terrorism.
During his two-day visit, he will be a guest of the Queen at Windsor Castle and address both Houses of Parliament.During his two-day visit, he will be a guest of the Queen at Windsor Castle and address both Houses of Parliament.
Mr Sarkozy will hold talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on issues ranging from global finance to Afghanistan.Mr Sarkozy will hold talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 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.
'Franco-British brotherhood''Franco-British brotherhood'
Mr Sarkozy will be accompanied by his new wife, the supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni, and his mother.Mr Sarkozy will be accompanied by his new wife, the supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni, and his mother.
In an interview for BBC Radio 4's Today, the French leader expressed admiration for what he described as British importance and dynamism.In an interview for BBC Radio 4's Today, the French leader expressed admiration for what he described as British importance and dynamism.
Don't you believe that the UK and France are stronger working hand in glove than turning our backs on one another? Nicolas SarkozyFrench PresidentDon't you believe that the UK and France are stronger working hand in glove than turning our backs on one another? Nicolas SarkozyFrench President
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.
He said he wanted the two countries' "Entente Cordiale" to become an "entente" of friendship.He 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.
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 powersNuclear 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?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.
"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.
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."
The Sarkozys are being met at Heathrow airport by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and then will travel by horse-drawn carriage from Windsor station to the castle.The Sarkozys are being met at Heathrow airport by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and then will travel by horse-drawn carriage from Windsor station to the castle.
Parliamentary addressParliamentary address
The 36-hour stay is the first full state visit by a French president for 12 years.The 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.
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'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 MayorSARKOZY 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.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.
The singer is reported to have been learning to curtsey for her stay with the Queen.The singer is reported to have been learning to curtsey for her stay with the Queen.
She is also due to have lunch with the prime minister's wife, Sarah, in Downing Street.She is also due to have lunch with the prime minister's wife, Sarah, in Downing Street.