PRESIDENT Jacques Chirac appealed yesterday for a partnership between the States and the EU. He called for a "transatlantic charter" and the renovation of Nato for the post Cold War era. He made his call in a speech before a joint session of Congress.
He said France had ended its nuclear weapons tests "once and; for all" and would seek a complete test ban treaty this year.
Welcomed to the White House by President Clinton, Mr Chirac urged a 21st century partnership; between "the United States which the world needs more than ever and the emerging European Union shaping up as one of the poles of tomorrow's world."
The two presidents, whose countries have been at odds over issues ranging from trade to Bosnian policy, braved freezing temperatures on the White House lawn to stress their fundamental ties.
Mr Chirac said the two countries should work together to help deal with the major challenges facing the world, including economic development, preservation of the environment, and the fight against drugs, organised crime and terrorism.
Mr Clinton, for his part, hailed what he called France's historic decision to tighten its co operation with the military structures of Nato after shunning it for 30 years. Mr Chirac said Nato must adapt to the new realities after the collapse of communism and reform its structures to allow a "European identity" to assert itself within the alliance.
Mr Chirac warned Congress against isolationist pressures and the disengagement of the US from the world scene.
Mr Chirac drew warm applause from the US legislators when he moved to put to rest the controversy over the French nuclear testing programme in the Pacific.
But some members of Congress were not ready to forgive France. Ms Patsy Mink, a representative from Hawaii, said that at least 75 members had moved to boycott Mr Chirac's speech and some legislators would raise the nuclear issue at a state dinner.