THE GUARDIAN: Two leaders stress need for close co-operation to stay 'bang in the middle' of Europe
Gordon Brown today described Britain's alliance with France as an "entente formidable" as he and Nicolas Sarkozy stressed the need for close co-operation and to stay "bang in the middle" of Europe.
Speaking at a press conference after a working lunch at Downing Street today, the two leaders highlighted close political alignment on a number of policy fronts as the prime minister described relations between the two countries as "greater now than at any time since the second world war".
Brown said he and Sarkozy were in "harmony" over the need to introduce a tax on banking transactions as he revealed that a report on the levy is due "in the next few weeks".
As well as on the economy, the two countries were working "more closely than ever" on environmental, energy and security matters, he said.
This included putting nuclear power at the heart of tackling climate change.
In his first visit to Downing Street since 2008, Sarkozy echoed the view that it was essential Britain remain "bang in the middle" of Europe amid concerns that a Tory government may engage less enthusiastically with Europe under David Cameron.
Sarkozy insisted he was not in Britain to "play politics" ahead of the forthcoming general election but nevertheless made comments that appeared to be aimed squarely at the Tory leader, who he is meeting this afternoon.
"I remain convinced that the position of our British friends is bang in the middle of Europe. We need you," the French president said.
Sarkozy said he "regretted" Cameron's decision to pull the Tories out of the centre-right European People's party grouping in the European parliament. >>> Hélène Mulholland, political reporter | Friday, March 12, 2010
