Political cooperation
Britain and France: Global partners
Britain and France are two of the oldest sovereign States in Europe, each with a proud history of national independence and world-wide interests. Their destinities have been intimately linked by geography and mutual influence. The motto on the Royal coat of arms is "Dieu et mon droit"; no one has seen any need to translate it into English.
In political thought, each country made its own distinctive contribution to wider developments. French philosophers championed the idea of personal liberty, whilst the concept of parliamentary democracy evolved first in Britain. Today, in both countries, the expressions Left and Right in politics are of only archeological interest. The rise of pragmatism in politics is also common to Britain and France.
Down the centuries, Britain and France were often rivals on the world stage. But the last two centuries have seen peace and a growing partnership between the two countries. Britain and France have been immeasurably more effective when standing together on the great issues of the day: allies during two world wars and then holding the line against Soviet communism during the Cold War.
"In 2004, we shall be commemorating the centenary of the "Entente Cordiale". This expression has today become the very symbol of our friendship, which is one of the cornerstones of the European Union ." President Jacques Chirac, November 1999
Tackling illegal immigration.
Today, dynamic bilateral cooperation and tough policies are being implemented to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime, thanks to close contacts between the Home Office and the French Ministry of the Interior. Our countries are committed to reinforcing EU action in the Balkans, now the main transit route into Europe for illegal immigration and people-trafficking .
France and the UK have signed an agreement leading to the closure of the Sangatte camp to tackle illegal immigration in December 2002 .
For more information on the efforts to tackle illegal immigration, click here
Common approach in Africa
Britain and France are also involved in helping the world’s poorest countries’ development. In St Malo in 199 8, the French and British Governments agreed to harmonise their policies towards Africa. They want to end the misunderstandings and pointless competition of the past, which ended up hampering our countries’ action. They have based their work on their common commitment to certain values and objectives, such as the rule of law, respect for human rights and individual freedoms, good governance and greater transparency. They would both like to see Africans more closely involved in settling conflicts on the African continent. Their partners have given this approach a favourable reception.
The British and French Foreign Ministers have been working on this basis to gradually overcome their old divisions. They started by travelling together to Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, where they also jointly chaired a meeting of British and French Ambassadors to Africa. In Cahors, in 200 1, the two governments reaffirmed their strong committment to Franco-British co-operation on Africa. They renewed their determination to reduce conflict in Africa, including by jointly supporting efforts to control and limit trade on small arms.
In April 2001, international development secretary Clare Short and Charles Josselin , French Minister for Development cooperation paid a three-day visit to Guinea and Sierra Leone.
In January 2002, the British and French foreign ministers Jack Straw and Hubert Védrine went on their first joint visit to Central Africa. The trip started in Congo on 21 January, followed by Rwanda and Burundi on 22 January and Uganda on 23 January.