We agree on much, say Blair and Chirac
Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac today sought to highlight just how much they agree on, following the French president’s arrival in the UK.
The Prime Minister, appearing in front of the cameras alongside president Chirac after the pair shared a working lunch, said they were working very closely on issues such as Iran, Afghanistan, climate change and European defence.
President Chirac added that despite differences over Iraq, what really mattered was what France and Britain had in common.
Much of the build-up to president Chirac’s visit, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, has focused on France’s opposition to the Iraq war. On the eve of his visit Mr Chirac said the war and ousting of Saddam Hussein had made the world a more dangerous place.
Asked about this on Thursday, president Chirac stood his ground, saying that it was not possible to be credible and say that the Iraq war had led to a reduction in terrorism.
He said Britain and France had a “different analysis” of the situation in Iraq, and “history will be the one to judge” who was right. However, they shared a common view on the need for a democratic, stable and peaceful Iraq. “There isn’t any divergence of views here,” he added.
Mr Blair said that on all other issues “we work on the same line”. He said co-operation was absolutely essential for the goals of Britain and France and for the EU.
He said the best example of European diplomacy was the co-operation between France, Britain and Germany over Iran where “significant advances” have been secured.
On Britain’s relationship with the US, president Chirac said it was a “family link” that had developed for historical, linguistic and cultural reasons. The relationship was an advantage for Europe, he maintained.
But he also stressed that the US and Europe had a natural vocation to work together and historically shared the same values.
