After a warm welcome from US President George W. Bush, Sarkozy said Tuesday he'd come to Washington with a very simple message.

"I wish to re-conquer the heart of America in a lasting fashion," he said in a toast before sitting down to a black-tie dinner in the White House.

The French president, nicknamed "Sarko the American" at home for his pro-US position, said that France and the US shared a "common destiny" as democratic nations that "believe in freedom and are prepared to struggle for freedom together."

Sarkozy to address Congress

In a rare address by a foreign leader, Sarkozy is scheduled to speak to both houses of Congress on Wednesday before joining Bush at Mount Vernon, George Washington's former residence. Iran's nuclear program and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are likely to top the leaders' agenda.

Differences of opinion over the US invasion of Iraq had put a damper on relations between the two countries over the past several years, particularly under former French President Jacques Chirac. In an official visit to Washington in 2001, Sarkozy's predecessor had irked the US by hailing France as an antidote to the American "hyper-power."

Distinctly setting himself apart from Chirac, Sarkozy quipped on Tuesday that one can "be a friend of America and win an election in France."

Common interests in the Middle East

During the meeting, Bush evoked the countries' strong historical ties by bringing up Marquis de Lafayette, a French nobleman who'd played a key role in the American Revolution.

"Two centuries later, our two nations are honoring the legacy of Lafayette by helping others resist tyranny and terror," said Bush, referring to a common interest in seeing success in Afghanistan and reconciliation in Iraq, as well as putting an end to human rights abuses in Darfur and Myanmar.

"Through this cooperation, we can make the world a better place," Bush added.

Sarkozy may not see eye-to-eye with Bush on policy in Iraq, but "that doesn't influence our friendship," said the French president, who also hailed US courage after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

The two are in agreement, however, on the Iran nuclear standoff and Paris has repeatedly supported stronger sanctions.

"The hypothesis of a nuclear weapon in the hands of the current leaders of Iran is for France inacceptable," said Sarkozy, adding that civilian nuclear energy is a right, also for Iran.

Sarkozy appeals for stronger dollar

Prior to the dinner at the White House, Sarkozy awarded medals to seven US World War Two veterans who had taken part in the Normandy invasion in 1944.

He also met with US and French business leaders, where he reiterated his demand for a stronger dollar. The US currency sunk to $1.4571 against the euro Tuesday, a new low.

"A great national economy needs a strong currency," Sarkozy said.

The trip marks Sarkozy's first official visit to Washington, though he and Bush met informally during the French president's vacation to Maine in August.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet Bush at his private ranch in Texas over the weekend.