“Liberté, Equalité, Fraternité” — Sarkozy addresses Congress

French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressed a joint session of Congress this morning and devoted most of his remarks to the close historical ties between the U.S. and France, beginning with the founding of this country.

It is together that we must fight to defend and promote the values and ideals of freedom and democracy that men such as Washington and Lafayette coined and invented together.

He also said that America didn’t invent liberty, but the country showed how to practice it. Sarkozy particularly extolled the U.S. for its role in World War II and its aftermath in helping to rebuild Europe.

In his review of current events in which the U.S. and France are involved, Sarkozy — showing his greener side — urged the U.S. to take the world leadership role in dealing with global warming.