US President Biden hosts French counterpart in 1st state visit

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden welcomed his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with an official arrival ceremony Thursday at the White House.

Biden described France as the US’ “oldest ally” and “unwavering partner” at the ceremony.

He said that France, the US, together with other NATO allies, including the EU and G7 partners, are facing Russian President Vladimir Putin as he is “grasping ambition for conquest and Russia's brutal war against Ukraine.”

“France and the United States are once again defending the democratic values and universal human rights which are the heart of both our nations,” he added.

Macron said the two nations are “sisters in their fight for freedom.”

“As war returns to the European soil following Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and in light of the multiple crises our nations and all societies face, we need to become brothers in arms once more,” he added.

Trade and energy issues will be high on the agenda during Macron’s three-day visit, as well as other issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war and China.

Biden and Macron met after the ceremony and will hold a news conference later at the White House.

Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, arrived Tuesday in Washington and will take part in the first state visit of Biden’s presidency.

The French president visited NASA headquarters Wednesday, along with US Vice President Kamala Harris, where they discussed the American-Franco partnership in outer space.

Macron also visited Arlington National Cemetery and honored two World War II veterans from the neighboring state of Maryland.

Late Wednesday, Biden and first lady Jill Biden took their guests to a private dinner at an upscale Italian seafood restaurant in the Georgetown area of the US capital.

US-French relations had a tense start at the beginning of the Biden administration following Washington’s decision to strike a submarine deal with Australia that left a previous French contract on the cutting room floor.

The move prompted Paris to recall its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra in a major diplomatic row between allies.

Following the Russian war in Ukraine, Paris and Washington set aside tensions.