Jacques Chirac, France's president, signalled his willingness on Thursday to re-engage with the US and to hold bilateral talks with President George W. Bush in spite of the two countries' bitter differences over the Iraq war.

The White House and the Elysée were still trying on Thursday to co-ordinate the schedules of Mr Bush and Mr Chirac to arrange a meeting, either directly before or after Mr Bush visits the European Union and Nato headquarters in Brussels on February 22.