This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7454459.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bush saying 'au revoir' in Paris | Bush saying 'au revoir' in Paris |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| US President George W Bush and France's Nicolas Sarkozy have emphasised the strength of relations between the two countries after talks in Paris. | US President George W Bush and France's Nicolas Sarkozy have emphasised the strength of relations between the two countries after talks in Paris. |
| The pair discussed a range of issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions and co-operation over Afghanistan. | The pair discussed a range of issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions and co-operation over Afghanistan. |
| But correspondents say the mood of the meeting was dominated by the extent to which France and the US see eye-to-eye. | But correspondents say the mood of the meeting was dominated by the extent to which France and the US see eye-to-eye. |
| Mr Bush is in Paris on the latest leg of his European tour, expected to be his last before leaving office. | Mr Bush is in Paris on the latest leg of his European tour, expected to be his last before leaving office. |
| The visit is seen as a sign of further reconciliation between the US and France, after tensions over Iraq. | The visit is seen as a sign of further reconciliation between the US and France, after tensions over Iraq. |
| On Friday, Mr Bush spoke with affection of the deep historic link between France and the US. | |
| On Sunday morning he will travel on to the UK, where he is expected to meet Queen Elizabeth II and hold talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | |
| Not popular with French | Not popular with French |
| Since taking office a year ago, Mr Sarkozy has made great efforts to build relations with Washington, which went into deep-freeze under his predecessor Jacques Chirac. | Since taking office a year ago, Mr Sarkozy has made great efforts to build relations with Washington, which went into deep-freeze under his predecessor Jacques Chirac. |
| Speaking at a joint news conference on Saturday, Mr Sarkozy said warm relations between the countries had endured for more than 200 years. | Speaking at a joint news conference on Saturday, Mr Sarkozy said warm relations between the countries had endured for more than 200 years. |
| The BBC's Hugh Schofield, in Paris, says the two leaders have a genuinely friendly relationship but President Bush is certainly not a popular figure among the French. | The BBC's Hugh Schofield, in Paris, says the two leaders have a genuinely friendly relationship but President Bush is certainly not a popular figure among the French. |
| However, the inevitable protests against his presence have been half-hearted, in acknowledgement that the president's time in the White House is running out, our correspondent adds. | However, the inevitable protests against his presence have been half-hearted, in acknowledgement that the president's time in the White House is running out, our correspondent adds. |
| Mr Bush arrived in Paris from Rome, where he had been afforded a special audience with Pope Benedict XVI. | Mr Bush arrived in Paris from Rome, where he had been afforded a special audience with Pope Benedict XVI. |