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Sarkozys arrive in Downing Street Sarkozys arrive in Downing Street
(10 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 to travel to Arsenal's football stadium for talks on issues including nuclear power, Afghanistan and global finance. The two leaders are travelling to Arsenal's football stadium for talks on issues including nuclear power, Afghanistan and global finance.
They will agree joint measures against illegal immigration - but Mr Sarkozy wants an EU-wide policy.They will agree joint 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.
In an address to 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".
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.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.
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'?
The supermodel-turned-singer was the centre of attention at a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening, where she chatted with members of the Royal Family.The supermodel-turned-singer was the centre of attention at a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening, where she chatted with members of the Royal Family.
The president and his wife said farewell to their Royal hosts at Windsor Castle earlier.The president and his wife said farewell to their Royal hosts at Windsor Castle earlier.
Before arriving in Downing Street, Mr Sarkozy and Ms Bruni laid a wreath and observed a minute's silence by a statue of predecessor General Charles de Gaulle in Carlton Gardens, off Pall Mall, in central London. Before arriving in Downing Street, Mr Sarkozy and Ms Bruni laid a wreath and observed a minute's silence by a statue of General Charles de Gaulle in Carlton Gardens, off Pall Mall, in central London.
CrowdsCrowds
Crowds lined the barriers to catch a glimpse of Ms Bruni, who was wearing a bright purple coat, over a grey trouser suit, and flat black pumps.Crowds lined the barriers to catch a glimpse of Ms Bruni, who was wearing a bright purple coat, over a grey trouser suit, and flat black pumps.
She was followed by her husband who was wearing a black suit and coat and heeled black shoes.She was followed by her husband who was wearing a black suit and coat and heeled black shoes.
The couple viewed a plaque paying tribute to General de Gaulle's appeal to the French people to fight against the Nazi occupation during the Second World War.The couple viewed a plaque paying tribute to General de Gaulle's appeal to the French people to fight against the Nazi occupation during the Second World War.
During an impassioned speech in the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy hailed De Gaulle and the historic friendship between Britain and France.During an impassioned speech in the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy hailed De Gaulle and the historic friendship between Britain and France.
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. Looking to the future, he said that instead of the famed "Entente Cordiale", there should be an "Entente Amicale", with France and the UK working together on energy, immigration, security and defence.
Immigration 'pact'Immigration 'pact'
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.
He also hailed the "exemplary" bilateral efforts to tackle illegal immigration but repeated his call for a common EU immigration "pact" - likely to be a key theme of France's EU Presidency in July. He hailed the "exemplary" bilateral efforts to tackle illegal immigration but repeated his call for a common EU immigration "pact" - likely to be a key theme of France's EU Presidency in July.
Mr Sarkozy and Mr Brown are due to announce further measures to tackle illegal immigration including enhanced borders guards at Calais and joint asylum expulsion flights.Mr Sarkozy and Mr Brown are due to announce further measures to tackle illegal immigration including enhanced borders guards at Calais and joint asylum expulsion flights.
They are also expected to speak about measures to tackle global financial instability and announce new co-operation on nuclear energy.They are also expected to speak about measures to tackle global financial instability and announce new co-operation on nuclear energy.
Mr Sarkozy has also proposed increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.Mr Sarkozy has also proposed increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.