Cancan
The welcoming ceremony was attended by Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu and Romanian Ambassador to Paris Teodor Baconschi.
The two heads of state are to sit down to a working launch before signing a declaration aiming at setting up a strategic partnership between France and Romania.
After meeting Basescu, Sarkozy will drive to the parliament for a meeting with Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu and then he is to make an address to both chambers of the parliament.
Sarkozy is also scheduled to meet representatives of the French community on Romania.