26 March 2008
Gordon Brown has spoken of a "shared agenda" with France ahead of meetings with President Sarkozy during his state visit to the UK.
Speaking to MPs during Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Brown said he looked forward to "constructive talks" scheduled to take place tomorrow. Britain and France have "a great deal in common" and the countries’ bilateral relationship, referred to as the entente cordiale, was set to enter a "new era" he said.
The PM said:
"President Sarkozy and his French government and our Government have a great deal in common and a shared agenda for the future. We will be discussing cooperation on matters related to energy, security and how we can work together on the environment and the economy.
"I believe in the international institutions when it comes to reform of the economy, we will now vote together on crucial areas.”
Mr Brown noted that discussions would deal in part with the current uncertainty surrounding financial markets and the global economy. The UK and France were in agreement over the need for greater transparency and economic reform, he said.
Responding to further questions on the economy, Mr Brown said that all countries agreed that more action was needed to facilitate liquidity in financial markets and overcome the current credit crunch - the ongoing reluctance of financial institutions to lend money to one another.
The PM listed a number of further areas to be discussed with President Sarkozy including security, energy and the environment and said he was confident that France would agree to tighter immigration controls near Calais.
Mr Brown said bilateral talks would also touch on the EU’s relationship with NATO ahead of next week’s NATO summit and that he was in favour of an enhanced EU role in civilian reconstruction work in post-conflict areas.
President Sarkozy’s two-day visit began today when he and his wife were received at Windsor by the Queen. The Prime Minister will join the official State Banquet tonight before holding meetings and a press conference with Mr Sarkozy tomorrow lunchtime.
Image copyright: Reuters
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