I should like to begin by welcoming you, François MitterrandM. Le President de la Republique. This is not of course your first visit. We talked at No. 10 in July but I was not then able to entertain you here. You have, I know, been to London before—most notably when you were a distinguished member of the Resistance. But you have not come often enough since.
Anyone who has studied President Mitterrand 's career cannot but be impressed by the constancy with which he has developed and defended his political views; and by the courage and stamina which brought him such remarkable electoral triumphs in the early summer. The Councils of Europe and of the international community as a whole can only benefit from having a man with such qualities added to their number. [end p1]
This morning The Times newspaper (I hope that Geoffrey Owen and Bill Deedes will forgive me if I refer to Harold Evans ' paper) published an interview with President Mitterrand. There was much in it with which I agree. He said for instance that if he were British he would oppose me. I am bound to say that if I were French I would oppose him! So we agree.
He said that there would be “no double talk between us” . As you can see, I agree with that too and I welcome his words.
He said, in a striking passage, that “to be a supporter of the independence of France, of the autonomy of its decisions, without pride or excessive nationalism, without snubbing any other country is to be true to a great French tradition” . We pride ourselves on a similar British tradition. [end p2]
It is because Britain and France share such a tradition that I welcome President Mitterrand 's statement in the same interview that he is a “great believer in the historic necessity for friendly and cordial relations with Britain” . So am I. As I tried to make clear in my speech in Bordeaux just a year ago, I agree with him that “there is as much reason for the Entente Cordiale in 1981 as in 1904—if not more so” .
Of course the entente cannot be taken for granted today any more than it could have been in 1904. There are differences between us. No doubt there will continue to be differences because our interests will not always be identical. The challenge is to ensure that our relationship is such that these conflicts of interest can be amicably resolved, that our arguments are always friendly. [end p3]
That is why these Summits are an indispensible element in our relations. They ensure that all the issues in which our two countries have a common interest can be considered simultaneously and in a co-ordinated way. I therefore welcome the team of distinguished Ministers—covering so many responsibilities—that you, M. Le President have brought with you and whose principal members I am happy to see here this evening. I hope that you and I, and our Ministers, will be able to make a major effort in the years ahead to cement the friendship and to build on the practical opportunities for collaboration that undoubtedly exist between France and Britain.
Of course those opportunities are not merely a matter for exploitation by Governments. There are many contacts and exchanges at all levels in our two societies. In this context, I should like to pay tribute to the invaluable work of the Franco-British Council. We attach great importance to the Conference in Edinburgh next May and hope that it will be as successful as that in Bordeaux last year. [end p4]
M. Le President, these are not easy times. Most countries are facing acute problems both at home and internationally. Our two Governments have chosen a different route where domestic policy is concerned. That, it seems to me, need not and should not impair our bilateral relations and our co-operation within the Community. We have everything to gain from working together. Certainly we in Britain are determined to do all we can to make agreement possible.
As for the major international issues, our two countries' experience, tradition and abilities entitle—and indeed compel—us to play leading roles. Our discussions, M. Le President, today and in July, have underlined how much we have in common. I look forward to developing co-operation in the future so that our two great nations can continue to play in the world the part which destiny has reserved for them.