RSS
Working lunch of French President Emmanuel Macron with Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived Thursday afternoon at Vila Lac 1 for a scheduled working lunch with Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, in the context of his one-day official visit to Bucharest.
The French President was welcomed by the head of the Romanian government on the platform in front of the villa. Before stepping in for talks, the two top officials shook hands for an official photograph.
At the request of the French side, President Macron and Premier Tudose held a one-on-one discussion, government sources said.
Aftre the meeting, Romania's Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said that France's President Emmanuel Macron accepted an invitation to come to Romania next year to plant an oak tree in the eastern city of Iasi after giving Macron a symbolic gift consisting of a sprig bearing two acorns of an oak planted 100 years ago in Iasi by General Henri Mathias Berthelot.
"It was not my idea; it was the idea of a counselor, a brilliant idea (...) of an atypical gift. (...) 100 years ago in Iasi, General Berthelot planted an oak tree. In fact, a sapling that was raised for 10 years, and when it turned 10, the oak was planted. This year the oak is 100 years old. Once again I want to thank my team for having brought a sprig from that oak with two acorns, the picture of the oak and the beautifully engraved story of a French general who made history in Romania (...) He [Emmanuel Macron] was very pleasantly impressed,"Tudose told Antena 3 private broadcaster on Thursday.
The prime minister added that, starting with the history of the oak tree planted in Iasi, he invited the French President back to Romania, an invitation that Macron hinted he would accept.
According to a government release, the subjects tackled during the working lunch included aspects regarding cooperation on economy, energy, research and culture.
At the same time, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose presented Romania's economic progress, the measures taken by the Executive in this field and investment opportunities.
Another topic of interest was Romania's Schengen accession.
Preparations for the Romania - France Cultural Season that will take place between December 1, 2018 - June 31, 2019 and will mark the Centennial of Modern Romania was also on the agenda of the talks.
The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Melescanu, Minister Delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu, Minister of Economy Mihai Fifor, Secretary of State in the Foreign Ministry George Ciamba, Romania's Ambassador to France Luca Niculescu, Rector of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest Sorin Cimpeanu, and state advisors Florin Vodita, Gabriel Andronache and Felix Rache attended the working lunch on Romania's behalf.
The French delegation headed by President Macron included Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau, Ambassador of France to Romania Michele Ramis, Navy Chief of Staff admiral Bernard Rogel, advisors Philippe Etienne, Clement Beaune, Barbara Frugier and Nicolas Jegou.