President Nicolas Sarkozy of France is in the United States this week to meet with President Obama to discuss Afghanistan and pressing global financial issues. His first stop this morning was at Columbia University’s World Leaders Forum. Participants in the Forum meet with academia and students to spark international debate on the world’s most sensitive concerns. The Forum also boasts free expression and an end to censorship. President Sarkozy previously served as the Minister of Interior and Finance for the government of France. “In following him, one has the sense that he is more inclined than most to express his views. President Sarkozy is sure to be praised for his determined leadership,” said the head of the Forum in the opening address. President Sarkozy highlighted the warm relations between France and the United States. “Through you I am addressing the great people of the United States so that you should understand that Europe and the United States of America must work together. We are your European friends. We in Europe admire you, you need not worry about that,” he added. Sarkozy emphasized that if Europe and America do not redesign the global financial architecture, then no other alliance will succeed. He highlighted the urgent need for an open discussion on the economic crisis and world economic regulation. “We can no longer expect a capitalist system where there are no rules, no regulation, no protectionism.” Sarkozy will meet with President Obama tomorrow to discuss the global economic collapse and to propose a “reinvention” of the new world economy. He will also congratulate Obama on his reform of the health care system. Additionally, Mr. Sarkozy cited the escalation and crash of oil prices and fossil fuels and the need for countries producing these resources to regulate prices. He also called for a full reform of the United Nations Security Council where not a single African country (1 billion people) is represented. “Nor is there a single Arab country represented or India, where there are over 1 billion people and it is the second most powerful economy and does not have a seat–why is that the case? How do you expect to regulate without these countries? Is that responsible? Does that make any sense to you?” he added. Sarkozy and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom recently initiated a greater push for full reform of the Security Council. He added that Iran must not be allowed to “get its hands on nuclear weapons” and that the alliance between Europe and the United States is particularly essential in this regard. He also gave praise to Obama in working to fight terrorism and said the Moscow train bombings this morning demonstrate the urgency for the world community to work together to put an end to global terrorism.
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President Sarkozy Of France Says Europe And America Must Come Up
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Tuesday, 30 March 2010
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