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Brown and Sarkozy in pre-G8 talks Brown and Sarkozy in pre-G8 talks
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy have been discussing how to help the economy recover in talks in France ahead of this week's G8 summit.Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy have been discussing how to help the economy recover in talks in France ahead of this week's G8 summit.
The UK prime minister and French leader and many of their ministers are meeting in the alpine resort of Evian. The two leaders said relations between their countries were strong, following talks in the alpine resort of Evian.
In a press conference Mr Sarkozy said there was a "total convergence" of views between Britain and France. President Sarkozy also said they stood "shoulder to shoulder" over attacks on the British government by Iran.
Mr Brown said the countries were bound by history and common values, and said relations had "never been better". It is understood the UK will give £15m to France for border protection in return for help deporting immigrants.
Truly a force of nature Gordon Brown on Nicolas Sarkozy Analysis: Rejuvenating summit?
The economy was expected to dominate discussions alongside climate change, Iran and development issues.
The prime minister is expected to warn leaders at the G8 summit in Italy against complacency when the economy is at a "pivotal point".The prime minister is expected to warn leaders at the G8 summit in Italy against complacency when the economy is at a "pivotal point".
'Solidarity'
It is understood he wants to raise concerns about oil prices going up, unemployment, protectionism and getting the banks lending again.It is understood he wants to raise concerns about oil prices going up, unemployment, protectionism and getting the banks lending again.
Mr Sarkozy said the two countries stood "shoulder to shoulder" on the situation in Iran - and the "attacks" on the British government. In a press conference Mr Sarkozy said there was a "total convergence" of views between Britain and France while Mr Brown said the countries' relations had "never been better".
He also said they wanted the G20 summit in Pittsburgh to be "far sighted" and pledged to "get things moving together". Truly a force of nature Gordon Brown on Nicolas Sarkozy class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8136185.stm">Analysis: Rejuvenating summit?
Mr Sarkozy said the two countries stood "shoulder to shoulder" on the situation in Iran - and the "attacks" on the British government. The prime minister replied that he was grateful for French "solidarity" on the issue and any response would be made in conjunction with EU partners.
On Sunday it was confirmed that the eighth of nine British Embassy employees detained by Iranian authorities had been released.
The ninth, an Iranian political analyst, has been charged with acting against national security.
The French president also said they wanted the G20 summit in Pittsburgh in September to be "far sighted" and pledged to "get things moving together".
Mr Brown paid tribute to Mr Sarkozy's leadership of the EU saying he was "truly a force of nature".Mr Brown paid tribute to Mr Sarkozy's leadership of the EU saying he was "truly a force of nature".
He said they had been looking at how to get economic recovery, particularly in working together on industries "of the future" - like low carbon production, electric cars and biotechnology.He said they had been looking at how to get economic recovery, particularly in working together on industries "of the future" - like low carbon production, electric cars and biotechnology.