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Bush saying 'au revoir' in Paris | Bush saying 'au revoir' in Paris |
(42 minutes 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. | |
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. | |
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 evening, Mr Bush spoke with affection of the deep historic link between France and the US. | On Friday evening, Mr Bush spoke with affection of the deep historic link between France and the US. |
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. | |
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. | |
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. |