From xinhuanet.com
Britain and France are separated by the English Channel, a body of water that can be crossed in as little as 20 minutes. But the cultures of the two countries sometimes seem to be miles apart.
Last Thursday Britain and France celebrated the 100th anniversary of the signing of a friendship agreement called the Entente Cordiale. The agreement —signed in London on April 8, 1904— marked a new beginning for the countries following centuries of wars and love-hate partnerships.
But their relationship has seen ups and downs over the past century. Just last year, there were fierce disagreements over the Iraq war—which British Prime Minister Tony Blair supported despite French President Jacques Chirac speaking out against it.
This discomfort is expressed in Blair and Chirac's body language at international meetings. While the French leader often greets German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with a hug, Blair just receives a handshake.
However, some political experts say the war in Iraq could in fact have helped ties. "The British population was against war," said Francois Heisbourg, director of the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Research. "So it could have actually helped bring the two sides closer."
The history of divisions may well be because of the very different ways in which the two sides see the world.
"The French think Britain is not doing its best to become part of Europe by not introducing the single European currency," said Geoff Hare, a former lecturer in French politics and language at Newcastle University in Britain. "France has spent the past 15 to 20 years making itself seen as part of the European Union."
But this doesn't stop 12 million Britons taking holidays in France each year. However, only 3 million French come in the opposite direction.
Surveys show that most French people feel closer to the Germans than they do the British. And the research carried out in Britain has found that only a third of the population believes the French can be trusted.
Perhaps this bad feeling comes because the British dislike France's close relationship with Germany. Or because the French are not happy with Britain's close links with the US.
Whatever the answer, as both sides celebrate 100 years of "doubtful friendship", they are at least able to make jokes about each other.
Here's one: What's the best thing about Britain's relationship with France? The English Channel.
Britain and France are separated by the English Channel, a body of water that can be crossed in as little as 20 minutes. But the cultures of the two countries sometimes seem to be miles apart.
Last Thursday Britain and France celebrated the 100th anniversary of the signing of a friendship agreement called the Entente Cordiale. The agreement —signed in London on April 8, 1904— marked a new beginning for the countries following centuries of wars and love-hate partnerships.
But their relationship has seen ups and downs over the past century. Just last year, there were fierce disagreements over the Iraq war—which British Prime Minister Tony Blair supported despite French President Jacques Chirac speaking out against it.
This discomfort is expressed in Blair and Chirac's body language at international meetings. While the French leader often greets German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with a hug, Blair just receives a handshake.
However, some political experts say the war in Iraq could in fact have helped ties. "The British population was against war," said Francois Heisbourg, director of the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Research. "So it could have actually helped bring the two sides closer."
The history of divisions may well be because of the very different ways in which the two sides see the world.
"The French think Britain is not doing its best to become part of Europe by not introducing the single European currency," said Geoff Hare, a former lecturer in French politics and language at Newcastle University in Britain. "France has spent the past 15 to 20 years making itself seen as part of the European Union."
But this doesn't stop 12 million Britons taking holidays in France each year. However, only 3 million French come in the opposite direction.
Surveys show that most French people feel closer to the Germans than they do the British. And the research carried out in Britain has found that only a third of the population believes the French can be trusted.
Perhaps this bad feeling comes because the British dislike France's close relationship with Germany. Or because the French are not happy with Britain's close links with the US.
Whatever the answer, as both sides celebrate 100 years of "doubtful friendship", they are at least able to make jokes about each other.
Here's one: What's the best thing about Britain's relationship with France? The English Channel.
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