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Sarkozys arrive in Downing Street Sarkozys arrive in Downing Street
(20 minutes later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni have been welcomed to Downing Street by Gordon and Sarah Brown, ahead of bilateral talks.French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni have been welcomed to Downing Street by Gordon and Sarah Brown, ahead of bilateral talks.
The two leaders are due to travel to Arsenal's football stadium for talks on issues ranging from immigration to the global credit crunch and Afghanistan. The two leaders are to travel to Arsenal's football stadium for talks on issues including nuclear power, Afghanistan and global finance.
They will agree some measures against illegal immigration - but Mr Sarkozy wants an EU-wide policy.
Ms Bruni will be entertained by Mrs Brown at No 10 during the summit.Ms Bruni will be entertained by Mrs Brown at No 10 during the summit.
Addressing both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy said France and the UK had "never been so close". In an address to both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy said France and the UK had "never been so close".
'Never so close' It is the first state visit by French President for 12 years - but many of the headlines in British newspapers have been grabbed by Ms Bruni.
He urged both countries to "overcome our long-standing rivalries and build together a future that will be stronger because we will be together".
Two democracies, two lands of freedom, two lands of justice, two lands of solidarity Nicolas Sarkozy on Anglo-French relations Analysis: Sarkozy woos UK Why the 'entente nucleaire'?Two democracies, two lands of freedom, two lands of justice, two lands of solidarity Nicolas Sarkozy on Anglo-French relations Analysis: Sarkozy woos UK Why the 'entente nucleaire'?
Instead of the famed "Entente Cordiale", he called for an "Entente Amicale", with France and the UK working together on energy, immigration, security and defence. The supermodel-turned actress was the centre of attention at a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening, where she chatted with members of the Royal Family.
Before arriving in Downing Street, Mr Sarkozy laid a wreath and observed a minute's silence by a statue of predecessor General Charles de Gaulle.
'Never so close'
In his speech on Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy said instead of the famed "Entente Cordiale", he called for an "Entente Amicale", with France and the UK working together on energy, immigration, security and defence.
He also said more "British dynamism" was needed to reform the European Union, hinting that France might be open to changing the Common Agricultural Policy.He also said more "British dynamism" was needed to reform the European Union, hinting that France might be open to changing the Common Agricultural Policy.
Mr Sarkozy added that he would propose increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.Mr Sarkozy added that he would propose increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.
'Respectful but competitive'
The Sarkozys joined members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries for a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
The Queen said the countries had a "respectful but competitive relationship".The Queen said the countries had a "respectful but competitive relationship".
Mr Sarkozy replied that "friendly rivalry" had ensured "the rise of our mutual peoples".Mr Sarkozy replied that "friendly rivalry" had ensured "the rise of our mutual peoples".
The UK and France were "two democracies, two lands of freedom, two lands of justice, two lands of solidarity", he added.The UK and France were "two democracies, two lands of freedom, two lands of justice, two lands of solidarity", he added.