This is the first time that Emmanuel Macron has invited a foreign leader to the site, in this case Fumio Kishida.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will jointly visit the construction site of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on Monday, devastated by a fire in 2019, the Élysée announced on Friday.
Fumio Kishida is due to begin a tour of Europe and then North America in Paris on Monday to meet his counterparts from other G7 countries, of which Japan has taken over the presidency this year.
Emmanuel Macron and his host will go to Notre-Dame before a working dinner at the Élysée focused on the challenges of the G7 presidency and the “exceptional partnership” between the two countries.
“Symbol of this common desire to rebuild in the face of adversity, this visit will make it possible to present the exceptional French know-how in terms of heritage”, noted the French presidency.
A first for a foreign leader
This is the first time that Emmanuel Macron has invited a foreign leader to the site, argued the presidency.
The reconstruction work of Notre-Dame is actively continuing with the objective of reopening the cathedral to the public in 2024.
The president will also express “all of France’s support for the Japanese presidency” of the G7 and its “attachment to the action of the G7 in support of Ukraine” in the face of Russian aggression, indicated the Elysium.
The two leaders will provide an overview of bilateral cooperation in energy, defence, emerging technologies and culture.
They will also discuss their “partnership in the Indo-Pacific space”, where France, with seven territories, intends to strengthen its ambitions and strategic cooperation.
