STRASBOURG, France -- President Nicolas Sarkozy offered enthusiastic support for President Barack Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan, saying France was preparing to do more to help the allied fight there.

"We totally endorse and support America's new strategy in Afghanistan," Sarkozy told a joint news conference after talks with Obama.

"We are prepared to do more in terms of police training ... we are helping Afghanistan rebuild," Sarkozy added.

For his part, Obama offered strong praise for the French efforts, which do not, however, including sending more troops at a time when the United States is pressing for more soldiers.

"I just wanted to publicly thank France once again for its outstanding leadership with regard to Afghanistan," Obama said.

Obama added that it was more likely that al-Qaida would be able to launch successful terrorist attacks in Europe than in the United States, due to Europe's proximity to Afghanistan.

Many Europeans, however, do not believe that, and there is strong public opposition to providing more resources for the Afghan war.

The two leaders also discussed Guantanamo Bay, and Sarkozy said France would be willing to take in one of the suspected terrorists held there. European Union countries have been weighing whether to accept a U.S. request to take some of the detainees when the controversial prison is shut.

"Guantanamo was not in keeping with U.S. values ... and I was proud and happy that the United States (will) close it down," Sarkozy said.

Asked if France would take in some of the prisoners, Sarkozy replied: "If we are consistent we say yes. We can't condemn the United States for having this camp and then we ignore them when they shut it down."

France earlier had indicated in the past that it would be willing to review U.S. requests to take former prisoners on a case-by-case basis.

Before the meeting, Sarkozy had been eager to get on a good footing with Obama.

Sarkozy rolled out all the pomp possible, with a red carpet arrival with full military honors from a company of soldiers unusually dressed in camouflage at the majestic 18th-century Rohan Palace.

Obama announced that he would be returning to France in just two months to help celebrate the 65th anniversary of the allied landing in Normandy on D-Day.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner also were present, as was Sarkozy's special envoy for Afghanistan,

While Obama and Sarkozy were meeting, their wives, Carla and Michelle, were to have a sumptuous lunch prepared by a two-star chef. On the menu, Guinea Fowl stuffed with foie gras and Coquilles St. Jacques and the famed green asparagus, a specialty that is highly prized in spring in this region.

Obama was to travel later in the day across the Rhine river into Germany where he will meet in the spa town of Baden-Baden with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is co-hosting the NATO summit with Sarkozy.