François MitterrandMr. President, Madame Mitterrand,
One of our greater poets, John Milton, refused to teach his daughters foreign languages saying “one tongue is enough for a woman” . Well, I am going to take the bold step of trying to prove him wrong.
(In French) First, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, I welcome you and Madame Mitterrand most warmly to Britain. This is your fourth visit this year, and by December I shall have been three times in France.
Mr. President it cannot be our famous British cooking or climate which brings you here so regularly! I can only conclude that our relations are so good as to require no new initiative to improve them—save perhaps the creation of a joint Anglo/French travel agency to handle our respective travel arrangements. [end p1]
Mr. President, we have both spoken many times of the similarities and the contrasts in the British and French character and in our respective histories. I have no new insight to offer into that today. I shall say just one thing—and say it with great sincerity. It was one of my favourite poets, that most patriotic of Englishmen Rudyard Kipling, who said: “France is beloved of every soul that loves its fellow kind” . That captures my own feelings admirably.
It might be said that within the European Community we could do with a little more affection for our fellow kind. The last few years have been difficult ones. But, Mr. President, it is an enormous tribute to your skilful chairmanship and broad vision, that the exceptionally difficult problem of the Community's future financing was resolved at Fontainebleau.
My hope is that now, within the European Community, we can raise our eyes to the future. To what you have called a citizens' Europe. To a Europe where there will be a real common market, not just in goods but also in services. To a Europe able to compete effectively with Japan and the United States. [end p2]
I see in particular a prospect of co-operation and action on a Community basis in research and development, in the new technologies and in major industrial projects. For this to succeed Britain and France must take a lead, because we are both particularly gifted and endowed in the sciences. It is here, more perhaps than in any other area, that Europe will demonstrate whether it can enter the next century as a leading force in the world.
Mr. President, allow me to conclude with a personal word. We have got to know each other well in these past few years. We have different political philosophies but also much in common. But what has struck me most is the extent to which your personal qualities are those which we British admire most in your country: a feeling for history, an admiration for science, wisdom born of both and a strong sense of independence.
Your excellencies, distinguished guests I ask you to join me in a toast to the President, to Madame Mitterrand and to the government and the people of the French Republic.