Thread by @P_Confavreux

DAY 2 of the State Visit got off to an early start. As we move through the morning, we want to underscore the importance of this 🇫🇷🇺🇸 meeting to both nations.

As we know, a State Visit is the highest, most personal form of diplomatic relations between two countries, and this is the first under the Biden-Harris administration.

President Macron is in Washington, D.C. with a delegation of French leaders and Ministers inc. @MinColonna.

Spokeswoman @AClaireLegendre did an excellent run down of the French perspective on her #DiploMatters, available in English here ⤵️

https://twitter.com/francediplo_EN/status/1597915846692802560?s=20&t=W2Mwvv8_5yRrdwGpYPcvtg

But let’s also take a look at the American point of view.
Ahead of the visit, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby cited that, "France is a vital global partner and, of course, the United States’ oldest ally.”

On the French Head of State, Kirby said, “President Macron has been a dynamic leader inside the G-7, particularly there in Europe. And so the president felt that this was exactly the right and the most appropriate country to start with for state visits.”

He commented upon the level of cooperation, its depth that is remarkable when considering the state of relations one year ago. He explained that in the last yr, FR has, “literally been at the center of every national security issue that matters to Americans and to our allies.”

Lastly, Kirby commended President Macron's capacity to maintain a dialogue with Russian President Putin.

With all of this in mind, stay tuned for more updates on the State Visit that will touch on history, ceremony, policy and current pressing questions.