President Chirac of France on State Visit to Britain

His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed French President Jacque Chirac today for a two-day State Visit to Britain to celebrate the Entente Cordiale.

President Chirac was welcomed by a Guard of Honour at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The President and Prime Minister are to hold talks at Downing Street before holding a press conference at Lancaster House.

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said that a range of issues would probably be discussed including Europe, the G8 Presidency (Africa, climate change and other G8 topics), the Middle East, and also Iraq.