Valéry Giscard d'EstaingMonsieur le President, my Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Delighted to welcome you in London today. Glad to have the opportunity to reciprocate the warm and generous welcome you gave me in Paris. Even the weather has joined in the spirit of things.
This is our second bilateral meeting and fourth meeting in all in the six months since I came to office. This says much about the network of contacts and relationships steadily being built up between our two countries. It also says something for the growing closeness and informality of the relationship that has resulted that I made so bold as to bring you into the house this morning through the Garden Gate. I suspect that the distinguished Britons looking down on us from the walls—who were accustomed to a different sort of relationship between our two countries—would have been surprised and, in their hearts, pleased. Your presence here this evening, Monsieur le President, and our talks earlier in the day underline the fact that the entente cordiale is in good health.
Of course our two Governments have their own pre-occupations. These sometimes differ and, on occasion, conflict. It would be surprising if they did not. It reflects the confidence, pride and traditions of our two peoples. [end p1]
The many things our two countries have in common are personified in some of the guests here this evening. Mary Soames reminds us of her great Winston Churchillfather whose contribution to the destiny of both our nations needs no stressing by me. I might add—though it is perhaps not for me to say—that the contribution she and SoamesChristopher themselves have made to Anglo-French relations is not inconsiderable.
There is Mary Quant who has helped to make what was once a one way traffic now very much a two-way affair. Marcus Sieff is in process of doing the same.
At the other end of the table there is John Adams, an Englishman who has built and run one of the world's largest particle accelerators which is half on, or should I say under, French soil and half on Swiss soil. It is one of the most remarkable examples of multinational co-operation of which I am aware.
And so one could go on. These links are reflected at Government to Government level. Trade between our two countries has grown gratifyingly since the UK entered the EEC. Many bilateral projects are in operation or under consideration in the spheres of industry, high technology, defence, etc. We have been reviewing some of the possibilities together this afternoon. As far as I and my colleagues are concerned, the discussions took place on the basis of our determination to do more. [end p2]
The initiative of the Franco-British Council to establish a regular high level conference is much to be welcomed in this context. The aim is to bring together leading figures in both our countries to discuss common problems and identify solutions. The project has my full support. I look forward to attending with you, Monsieur le President, the inauguration of the conference in September next year.
Our bilateral co-operation takes place against the background of our joint membership of the European Community. (It might be more accurate in the present circumstances to refer to the Community as being in the foreground!) I need not stress to this audience the depth of my own commitment to British membership of the Community and to the success of the Community. Our two countries' attitudes to the Community are, I think, very similar. We face a common challenge in constructing a united Europe with room for national diversity. We both want a Community that evolves and takes full account of our people's needs. We both recognise that the Community's success and prosperity will depend on general public satisfaction with its operation. You are aware, Monsieur le President, of the problem which faces our Government in this connection at present and which must be resolved soon. You have explained to me your own thinking on the problem. It remains to find a solution in Dublin. A successful outcome in Dublin—and I am confident that one can be found—will leave the Community poised to confront effectively the looming problems of the 1980s.
Once again, let me say how pleased I am to see you here. I look forward to many equally fruitful meetings in the future.