French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke highly of France-U.S. friendship here on Wednesday, stressing "We love America."
Addressing U.S. Congress, Sarkozy said "Since the United States first appeared on the world scene, our two peoples, the French and the American people have always been friends."
He said "We may have differences, we may disagree on things, we may even have arguments, as in many families. But in times of difficulty, in times of hardship, one stands true to one's friends, one stands shoulder to shoulder with them, one supports them, and one helps them.
The French leader made the remarks a day after his arrival here and received a warm welcome from U.S. President George W. Bush at an exclusive reception.
Sarkozy won the French presidential run-off in early May. The White House welcomed the election result, and said the Bush administration looks forward to having cooperation with the new French leader.
U.S.-French relations turned sour in 2003 after then French President Jacques Chirac strongly opposed the Iraq war launched by the United States at that time.
After addressing the Congress, the French leader will join Bush for talks to be held later in the day in Mount Vernon, the historic residence of the first U.S. president George Washington.
The two leaders were reportedly to discuss "all the main international dossiers, whether regional crises or big strategic questions."
Bush and Sarkozy met in August in the casual setting of the oceanside Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine during the French president's vacations. They also met on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Germany in June.
Source: Xinhua
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