France’s Prime Minister on Tuesday hailed good relations with Belgium during the King’s official visit to Paris.
Michel Barnier wrote on website X, after receiving Belgian officials on Monday:
“I am honoured and delighted to have received Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians at the Hotel de Matignon on the first day of their state visit to France.”Â
He stressed that Belgium is not only a neighbour, but also a friend and a “strategic partner.” Barnier also added:
“Our bilateral regional partnership is flourishing and permeating our countries.”
Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are in Paris on a state visit at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron to celebrate Franco-Belgian cultural ties and shared views on various European issues.
In the evening, a state dinner was held at the Elysee Palace to honour the royal couple’s visit. The dinner was also attended by Prince Gabriel, who is currently studying in France under the Erasmus programme.
The Belgian King has not paid a state visit to France for 21 years.
