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27/03/2008
Brown Holds Talks With Sarkozy
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has held talks with Nicolas Sarkozy today, on the final day of the French President's visit to the UK.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Arsenal football club's Emirates Stadium in north London, Mr Brown said that a new "entente amicale" would see Britain and France "at the centre of Europe" and able to "change things for the future".
The Prime Minister also outlined a number of shared initiatives around economic and institutional reform, defence and development.
President Sarkozy said that he was "determined" that the UK be closely involved in the EU and that the Franco-British relationship was vital for the future of both nations.
The Prime Minister said that the two countries would combine efforts to reform international institutions such as the UN and the World Bank. One specific measure sought by both countries was to see the International Monetary Fund develop an early warning system to highlight problems in the global economy.
The two leaders said that the UK and France would engage in greater defence cooperation and burden sharing, such as through pooled resources for helicopters and other equipment in Afghanistan.
They also said that they had a shared outlook on other international issues, such as Burma, Darfur and Tibet, with both calling for "restraint and dialogue" in China over the Tibetan issue.
Mr Brown outlined plans for more frequent bilateral meetings, including six-monthly summits of senior ministers and a task force to increase cooperation on a range of issues, including the environment and failed states.
Prior to the press conference, the Prime Minister and President Sarkozy announced an initiative to fund the schooling of 16 million children in Africa by the time of the South African World Cup in 2010.
Mr Sarkozy arrived in the UK on Wednesday, accompanied by his new wife, Italian supermodel-turned-singer Carla BrunI-Sarkozy.
Mr Sarkozy addressed both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday afternoon and called for an "Entente Amicale", with France and the UK working together on energy, immigration, security and defence.
Mr Sarkozy and his wife then attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Speaking at the press conference on Thursday, Mr Sarkozy said that he had been "deeply moved" by the reception Ms Bruni-Sarkozy had received in the UK.
(KMcA/JM)
Speaking at a joint press conference at Arsenal football club's Emirates Stadium in north London, Mr Brown said that a new "entente amicale" would see Britain and France "at the centre of Europe" and able to "change things for the future".
The Prime Minister also outlined a number of shared initiatives around economic and institutional reform, defence and development.
President Sarkozy said that he was "determined" that the UK be closely involved in the EU and that the Franco-British relationship was vital for the future of both nations.
The Prime Minister said that the two countries would combine efforts to reform international institutions such as the UN and the World Bank. One specific measure sought by both countries was to see the International Monetary Fund develop an early warning system to highlight problems in the global economy.
The two leaders said that the UK and France would engage in greater defence cooperation and burden sharing, such as through pooled resources for helicopters and other equipment in Afghanistan.
They also said that they had a shared outlook on other international issues, such as Burma, Darfur and Tibet, with both calling for "restraint and dialogue" in China over the Tibetan issue.
Mr Brown outlined plans for more frequent bilateral meetings, including six-monthly summits of senior ministers and a task force to increase cooperation on a range of issues, including the environment and failed states.
Prior to the press conference, the Prime Minister and President Sarkozy announced an initiative to fund the schooling of 16 million children in Africa by the time of the South African World Cup in 2010.
Mr Sarkozy arrived in the UK on Wednesday, accompanied by his new wife, Italian supermodel-turned-singer Carla BrunI-Sarkozy.
Mr Sarkozy addressed both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday afternoon and called for an "Entente Amicale", with France and the UK working together on energy, immigration, security and defence.
Mr Sarkozy and his wife then attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Speaking at the press conference on Thursday, Mr Sarkozy said that he had been "deeply moved" by the reception Ms Bruni-Sarkozy had received in the UK.
(KMcA/JM)
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