The Franco-British partnership,The Times, 02.04.04
- The Franco-British partnership
On Monday, France will extend a heartfelt welcome to Her Majesty The Queen because her personality has endeared her to the French people and because she embodies a great nation, a close ally and friend.
Predictably, this visit will also see the recycling of age-old clichés on both sides of the Channel. Once again, the long history of Anglo-French rivalry and misunderstanding will be rehearsed.
Of course, France and Britain are different in many ways. This is precisely why combining their different strengths in joint action achieves so much more than each acting on its own. This takes political will, mutual trust and a clear vision of our common strategic interests. Therein lies the great political achievement of Lord Lansdowne, the British Foreign Secretary, and Paul Cambon, the French Ambassador in London - the signatories of the Entente Cordiale in 1904.
Churchill and de Gaulle, Heath and Pompidou were inspired by the same spirit. Therein also lies the truth of Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac’s statement : " What unites us is stronger than what divides us ".
In Europe and the wider world, Britain and France share a common destiny. So the choice is ours. We can be misled by myths - or led by realities. We can be forever mired in stereotypes - or join forces. I believe that, together, Britain and France can truly make a difference. This in no way requires them to relinquish their equally strong identities.
In welfare, in education, as in many other fields, France and Britain face the need for reforms. They both need to reconcile social solidarity with increasing competitive pressures. Their economies must constantly adapt to remain at the cutting edge of globalisation. Admittedly, their respective traditions and situations will colour the way this happens, but they have every reason to go on learning from each other and swapping best practice.
Moreover, Franco-British partnership is crucial to Europe’s future. Britain has nothing to fear from Europe. To think otherwise would belittle Britain. Together, France and Britain can help shape Europe’s future. Together they can help make the European Union a responsible and respected partner in world affairs. Both can only benefit from more growth and employment throughout Europe. Their significant military capabilities give teeth to the defence and security policy Europe needs to act in the face of threats. Both want to increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of Europe’s institutions.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council, France and Britain have a special responsibility to help shape a fairer and safer world. They share the same vision of a multilateral order based on rules agreed by all and applicable to all.
There is great strength in our differences when we pull together. This is the lesson of the Entente Cordiale we must carry forward.