Arriving on French soil this Wednesday, Joe Biden began what is none other than the longest state visit of his mandate. If the program promises to be rich, the organization was an “intense headache”.
The American president set down his bags in France this Wednesday, June 5. Joe Biden at the same time began his very first presidential visit to France, but also, and above all, the Élysée boasts, “the longest visit abroad carried out during his mandate”, relays The Parisian. “A historic visit in terms of its duration,” insists an Elysian advisor to the capital’s daily newspaper. On the program: the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, mainly, and the state visit which will be held on Saturday.
If in itself the schedule promises to be busy, with numerous visits, meetings and discussions, The Parisian do not hesitate to speak of a real “puzzle” in organizing this stay. And for good reason: beyond the traditional imperatives, it was also necessary to take into account the great age of the American president – 81 years old. Thus, after being received by Gabriel Attal this Wednesday upon his arrival at Orly, Joe Biden was left alone for the rest of the day, the objective being to be in shape for Thursday and the first commemorations.
Commemorations and informal summit meeting?
THURSDAY, direction Normandy. Joe Biden must start his day with a ceremony at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, in Calvados, alongside Emmanuel Macron. American veterans, having sometimes landed on the beaches of Utah and Omaha on June 6, 1944, will of course be present. In the afternoon, head to Omaha Beach, where the big moment of these commemorations will take place, namely the international ceremony. Charles III, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be there. A flypast and a speech by the president are notably expected. It is also not excluded that informal discussions take place behind the scenes, with so many political figures present on site.
Friday, Joe Biden must go to Pointe du Hoc, in Calvados again. On this occasion, the White House announced, the American president will deliver a major speech on the “defense of freedom and democracy”. SATURDAY will therefore take place the State visit as such, with, among other things, a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, in the company of the Macron couple, followed by a descent of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and a lunch at the presidential palace. A state banquet will be organized the same evening. Finally, SundayPresident Joe Biden will lay a wreath at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, in Belleau, in Aisne, during a final memorial service before his return to the United States, but also to his presidential campaign!