(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-27 10:15

The couples were then driven to nearby Windsor Castle where they were welcomed by the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, under a dais decked out in the red, blue and white colours of the two nations' flags.

Both Sarkozy and Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown hoped for a new era in Franco-British ties, most recently chilled by a row between predecessors Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair over the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

Speaking to both houses of parliament, an honour previously bestowed upon 31 foreign leaders since 1939, Sarkozy evoked the "entente cordiale" (cordial relationship) agreed in 1904 that ended centuries of intermittent conflict.

"Since we have stopped fighting each other, we should be talking about the 'entente amicale'," or friendly relationship, the French leader said.

Sarkozy also called for Britain to play a greater role in the European Union, saying a strong Franco-British relationship could exist alongside France's traditional axis with Germany.

Brown adopted a warm tone as well, telling parliament at his regular Wednesday question period that London and Paris had "a good deal in common and a shared agenda for the future".

"The 'entente cordiale' is moving into a new era and I hope all sides of this House will welcome this but it does require Britain to be at the centre of Europe, not isolated from it," he said.

The summit Thursday at the home of English Premier League side Arsenal -- who have a French manager, Arsene Wenger, and several French players -- would see energy, the environment, security and economic reform discussed, he added.

Sarkozy is expected to discuss possible French assistance in building a new generation of nuclear power stations in Britain.

Before the presidential couple touched down in Britain, a number of British tabloid newspapers published a full-frontal nude photograph of Bruni-Sarkozy dating from 1993, to be sold by Christie's auction house.

Elysee aides declined to comment on the publication.

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