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Brown and Sarkozy holding talks Brown and Sarkozy holding talks
(30 minutes later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Gordon Brown are holding bilateral talks at Arsenal's football stadium in North London.French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Gordon Brown are holding bilateral talks at Arsenal's football stadium in North London.
Issues on the agenda include nuclear power, Afghanistan and global finance.Issues on the agenda include nuclear power, Afghanistan and global finance.
They will also agree joint measures against illegal immigration - but Mr Sarkozy wants an EU-wide policy.They will also agree joint measures against illegal immigration - but Mr Sarkozy wants an EU-wide policy.
The Browns earlier gave the Sarkozys a tour of Downing Street. Ms Bruni is attending a charity lunch with Mrs Brown during the summit.The Browns earlier gave the Sarkozys a tour of Downing Street. Ms Bruni is attending a charity lunch with Mrs Brown during the summit.
The two women will dine with other wives of senior French and British politicians at Lancaster House, in aid of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. The two women are dining with other wives of senior French and British politicians at Lancaster House, in aid of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.
Mr Sarkozy and Mr Brown, meanwhile, are meeting Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium in North London. They were greeted by members of Arsenal's youth team who were expected to greet the French President in his native tongue. Mr Sarkozy and Mr Brown, meanwhile, met Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium in North London.
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'?Brown 'got lost' banquetTwo 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'?Brown 'got lost' banquet
Speaking to reporters on the pitch ahead of formal talks, Mr Brown announced a joint British-Franco initiative to help to bring education to 16 million children in Africa.
He also announced a joint initiative between the two governments, the Football Association, Premier League and FIFA, to improve educational opportunities leading up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Mr Brown said: "We will look to the World Cup in 2010 and the first match in the World Cup to be able to say that millions of children have gained opportunities over the course of the two years leading up to the World Cup."
State banquet
Asked for his comments, Mr Sarkozy, who does not speak English, said: "I agree with Gordon".
The two leaders also met members of Arsenal's youth team who greeted the French President in his native tongue.
Mr Sarkozy will use a translator in his talks with Mr Brown, who does not speak French.Mr Sarkozy will use a translator in his talks with Mr Brown, who does not speak French.
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.
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. Before arriving in Downing Street on Thursday morning, 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.
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. 'British dynamism'
Crowds
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.
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.
In their bilateral talks, Mr Brown and Mr Sarkozy will discuss further measures to tackle illegal immigration including enhanced borders guards at Calais and joint asylum expulsion flights.In their bilateral talks, Mr Brown and Mr Sarkozy will discuss 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.
'British dynamism'
During an impassioned speech in the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy hailed the historic friendship between Britain and France.During an impassioned speech in the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy hailed the historic friendship between Britain and France.
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.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.
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 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 also proposed increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.Mr Sarkozy also proposed increasing his country's commitment in Afghanistan at a Nato summit in Bucharest next week.