Optimism is high for Britain and France to forge a new and mutually beneficial partnership, writes LINDSAY McINTOSH
THE mutual attraction had been building for months, fuelled by long-distance flirtation. But yesterday afternoon, the French president began his courtship of Britain in earnest.
Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, stepped on to the
runway of Heathrow Airport and into the arms – if Royal protocol were to allow such a thing – of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the start of their first state visit to the UK.
Mr Sarkozy had spoken of his desire to develop a "warm friendship" between the two nations, a "hand-in-glove" approach that would see them work together on issues closest to them.
No longer would it merely be an entente cordiale, but an entente amicale.
Things have not always been so blissful between the countries. Mr Sarkozy, along with Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, is seeking to smooth over a relationship with a rocky history beset by war and bitter rivalry.
When the Entente Cordiale was signed in 1904, it marked the end of centuries of intermittent conflict – from the capture of Joan of Arc through to the Napoleonic Wars – and the start of the peaceful co-existence that has continued to the early years of the 21st century.
But the old scars, sliced open again in the Second World War, still ache for some.
In his historic speech to both UK Houses of Parliament yesterday, Mr Sarkozy said that his country would "never forget" what Britain had done to "free France" during the world wars.
He urged both countries to "overcome our long-standing rivalries and build together a future that will be stronger because we will be together".
And although the countries may seem geographically and culturally close, a look below the surface reveals very different attitudes – for example to binge drinking and to youth disorder.
Scotland's relationship with the French has had a different tone to that of England's, dating back to the signing of the first Auld Alliance treaty in 1295.
Within Mr Brown and Mr Sarkozy's relationship, a source of conflict is likely to be the future of the European Union.
Mr Brown backs globalisation and opposes protectionism within the EU, and is cautious about developing a purely European defence capability that might upset Nato and the link with the Americans. Mr Sarkozy, on the other hand, openly talks about the need to protect French economic interests.
Alice Foucart, of the French Institute in Edinburgh, said: "It would definitely bring about benefits for the countries to work together, but I don't think it would be easy as they would be likely to disagree on lots of different points. Both nations would want to keep their identity and would not concede anything to the other country."
Like any good partnership, the relationship will have to be mutually beneficial.
Although Mr Brown may not wish to adopt his peer's taste in "bling" and Mr Sarkozy might consider the PM's penchant for red ties and black suits a little dull, the premiers may be able to learn something from each other's cultures. Experts say this could include social policy in the workplace, with France learning to become a more flexible place to do business, while Britain strengthens laws to protect vulnerable employees.
And, of course, at a political and practical level, the relationship is hoped to be mutually beneficial in terms of policies on immigration and defence.
In his speech, Mr Sarkozy also took pains to mention the nations within the UK – a nod to the Auld Alliance which, although well known in Scotland, is less well known in France because it is not always a major part of the school curriculum.
He said: "To those who want to create opposition between the cultures and traditions of the Germanic, Latin and Anglo-Saxon worlds, I want to say that we all share what's most important: the same humanism, the same idea of man and what we call the western civilisation, what we call progress, democracy, freedom are, going beyond all the ups and downs of history, the fruits of centuries of uninterrupted dialogue between our philosophers, our politicians and our peoples.
"Tomorrow, as yesterday, we shall defend them, constantly reminding ourselves of what unites us and not what divides us. France hasn't forgotten, she will never forget, that when she was almost annihilated, Britain was at her side. She will never forget the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish blood mixed with the French blood in the mud of the trenches. She will never forget the welcome the British people gave General de Gaulle and Free France.
"She will never forget the fine young people who came from all over the British Empire and laid down their lives on the Normandy beaches."
Ms Foucart adds: "French people usually think about Britain as England; they differentiate between all the countries in the UK. Historically speaking, it has been about the empire and colonies – now it's just sports-related."
Events will determine whether the Sarkozy-Brown romance survives its heady honeymoon period – and history suggests otherwise.
In 1998, when Jacques Chirac came to Britain on the last French state visit, he and Tony Blair attempted to work together towards greater military co-operation.
But squabbling soon got in the way and the nations resorted to their default position of bickering.
Whether things will be much better this time around remains to be seen.
