An article by Ben McPartland , AFP in The Local.

The presidents of France and the United States issued a joint call on Monday for other nations to join them in seeking an “ambitious” agreement to curb climate change.

Presidents Barack Obama and Francois Hollande, writing in an article in the Washington Post and Le Monde, called for support “in pursuit of an ambitious and inclusive global agreement” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions “through concrete actions” at a climate conference in Paris in 2015.

Cooperation on a host of global issues – which include the Syrian crisis, Iran’s nuclear program, and security in Africa – has resulted in France and the United States enjoying a “model” relationship, the presidents wrote.

The joint opinion piece comes as Hollande travels to the United States on Monday for a state visit.

“Rooted in a friendship stretching back more than two centuries, our deepening partnership offers a model for international cooperation,” the presidents wrote.

“Transnational challenges cannot be met by any one nation alone. More nations must step forward and share the burden and costs of leadership.”

Ties between the two countries have warmed considerably since chilling over France’s refusal to support the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq under president George W. Bush.

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