At the invitation of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, paid a state visit to Germany from 26 to 28 May. The French President and Federal President Steinmeier travelled together to several regions in Germany, thus highlighting the unique relationship between the two countries. This state visit, the highest form of diplomatic contact, was the first such visit by a French President to Germany in 24 years.
On 26 May, both Presidents visited the Celebration of Democracy that was being held in the vicinity of the Federal Chancellery and the German Bundestag to mark the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law and the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution. Later, Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender welcomed President Macron and Brigitte Macron with military honours at Schloss Bellevue in Berlin. In the evening, the Federal President hosted a state banquet in Schloss Bellevue in honour of his guests. By inviting President Macron as the only foreign state guest to attend the celebration of the founding of the Federal Republic, President Steinmeier wished to highlight the exceptional significance of the Franco-German friendship. Other events on the day’s agenda focused on person-to-person contacts, especially between youths, as well as on cultural and sport exchanges between our countries.
The second and third day of the state visit included stops in Dresden and Münster, where the focus was on common challenges to which France and Germany can find shared European answers – be it in the spheres of technological innovation and competitiveness, or with regard to peace and security on the continent. During all of the stops, both Presidents celebrated European integration.
Overview of the programme
Sunday, 26 May
- 3.00 p.m., Berlin’s Mitte district
Visit to the Celebration of Democracy marking the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law – discussion on stage between the Federal President and the President of the French Republic, as well as a tour of the Celebration
Livestream of the podium discussion at bundesregierung.de - 4.15 p.m., Schloss Bellevue
Welcome with military honours for Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and Brigitte Macron
The welcome with military honours will take place in public in front of Schloss Bellevue and can be watched from Spreeweg. - Thereafter
Signing of the visitors’ book and talks - 4.45 p.m.
Joint press conference
Livestream at bundespräsident.de - Thereafter, Brandenburg Gate
Launch of the 2024 Franco-German summer of sports in the UEFA EURO 2024 fan zone - 8.00 p.m., Schloss Bellevue
State banquet in honour of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and Brigitte Macron, hosted by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender, with speeches by the Heads of State
Monday, 27 May
- Morning
Joint visit to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe - Lunchtime, Moritzburg
Arrival at Schloss Moritzburg - Thereafter, Adams Gasthof
Lunch with representatives of the local population as well as with representatives of the Franco-German Generation Europe youth networking programme - Thereafter, Dresden
Visit to the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS and talks with experts on artificial intelligence and Europe’s competitiveness - Afternoon, Neumarkt at the Frauenkirche
Visit to the Fête de l’Europe, a celebration for young Europeans, and meeting with young people - Evening
Cultural dinner hosted by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic
Tuesday, 28 May
- Morning, Münster, Historisches Rathaus
Speech by the Federal President in honour of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, at the presentation of the Westphalian Peace Prize - Lunchtime, Schloss Wilkinghege
Lunch hosted by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender
Engagement for Elke Büdenbender and Brigitte Macron
Monday, 27 May
- Afternoon, Dresden
Visit to Romain Rolland grammar school and exchange with pupils on cyberbullying
