the program of the American president’s state visit to Paris on Saturday

A ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe as well as a dinner at the Elysée are on the menu for this diplomatic day.

Emmanuel Macron welcomes Joe Biden with great fanfare, Saturday June 8, during a state visit to Paris which should mark a relationship that has returned to good health. The American President will be invited at 12:30 p.m. to the Arc de Triomphe for a ceremony to rekindle the flame at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After a minute of silence, the American and French anthems will be performed by the French army choir. The two leaders will then attend a flypast.

Then, the American head of state will be joined by his wife, Jill Biden, at the Elysée. After a working lunch scheduled for 1:30 p.m., the two presidents will speak to the press. At 4:30 p.m., Emmanuel Macron will participate in a Franco-American business council. A state dinner will conclude this diplomatic day.

Joe Biden arrived in Paris on Wednesday morning and participated on Thursday, with Emmanuel Macron, in the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The state visit itself takes place only on Saturday. Sunday, before his departure, Joe Biden will lay a wreath at the Bois Belleau American cemetery (Aisne), in tribute to the soldiers who died during the First World War.

This visit aims to show that “we are closer than we have ever been”said the spokesperson on Friday of the National Security Council of the White House, John Kirby. France, for its part, is pleased to be entitled to the longest trip abroad by the 81-year-old Democrat, in the middle of the campaign for the American presidential election in November, which will see him face Donald Trump.

Washington has promised announcements on maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region. Partnerships in the fight against climate change will also be discussed. Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron will discuss major international issues, including the Ukrainian conflict and the war between Israel and Hamas. On this last point, the United States is the strongest supporter of the offensive led by Israel in Gaza, while France distances itself from the way in which the Israeli army conducts its operations.