 Mr Sarkozy spoke warmly of French-US relations in a toast to Mr Bush |
He is due to address a joint session of Congress and hold talks with US President George W Bush.
Mr Sarkozy is also presenting the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, to several US citizens.
The two presidents are expected to discuss the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, about which officials say they are in close agreement.
Correspondents say the visit will help heal the divisions between the two countries that came to a head when France opposed the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
'Friends forever'
At a White House dinner to welcome Mr Sarkozy, he spoke warmly of his country's relations with the US.
"I came to Washington with a very simple message. I want to reconquer America's heart," Mr Sarkozy said during a toast to Mr Bush.
"I have come to tell you one thing, that is that France and the United States are friends, we are allies, always and forever."
Mr Sarkozy also paid homage to American troops who had helped liberate France during WWII.
"When we have been together, we have won the hardest fights," he said.
The French president, who was elected in May and visited the US on holiday in August, is seen as more pro-American than his predecessor Jacques Chirac.
Weak dollar
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says that the Bush White House increasingly sees President Sarkozy as its principal ally in efforts to halt Iran's nuclear programme.
But correspondents say there will be some areas of disagreement.
In his address to Congress, President Sarkozy will touch on environmental issues, and is expected to call on the US to take the lead in the fight against climate change.
Addressing business leaders at the start of his visit, the French president voiced concern about the weakness of the US dollar.
No comments:
Post a Comment