President Emmanuel Macron will next week host Joe Biden for the US leader's first state visit to France after both leaders attend commemorations for the World War II D-Day landings, the Elysée Palace said Thursday, May 30. Biden's visit on June 8 for talks with Macron in Paris will come after the June 6 ceremony in Normandy marking 80 years since the D-Day landings. In a separate statement, the White House said Biden would be in France from June 5 to June 9.
On June 6, Biden will speak and participate in ceremonies with his wife Jill Biden to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, "which paved the way for the liberation of France and Europe," the White House said in the statement. "Seventy three thousand brave Americans landed at Utah and Omaha beaches in Normandy on June 6, 1944 and the president will greet American veterans and their family members while in France to honour their sacrifice," the statement added.
On June 7, Biden will give a speech at Pointe du Hoc – a clifftop promontory whose German bunkers were attacked by US troops in a daring assault during the landings – "about the importance of defending freedom and democracy," the White House said. The state visit on June 8 will "reflect the enduring and comprehensive relationship between the United States and France, our oldest ally, founded on shared democratic values, economic ties, and defense and security cooperation." The two presidents will discuss a wide range of "global challenges" and bilateral issues, Washington said.
Discussions also will include climate-related issues and will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic, space and nuclear fields, the statement said. Macron's office said for its part that the two presidents would discuss "the unfailing and long-term support" for Ukraine.
In Normandy next week, major commemorations will draw 25 heads of state and government, along with dozens of World War II veterans, to honor the nearly 160,000 troops from Britain, the United States, Canada and other nations that landed on June 6, 1944. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is amid those expected to attend.