Tshisekedi-Macron face-to-face this Tuesday at the Elysée
The President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, began a two-day official visit to France yesterday, Monday, April 29, with a view to strengthening relations between the two countries.
Several subjects will be discussed during his visit, notably the conflict situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and cooperation issues between the two nations.
Upon his arrival in the French capital in the morning, the Congolese Head of State was warmly welcomed by several political figures.
Military honors were paid to him in the courtyard of the Invalides, thus testifying to the respect and esteem accorded to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The highlight of this visit will be the meeting between Félix Tshisekedi and Emmanuel Macron, scheduled for tomorrow at the Elysée.
The stakes of this face-to-face are both diplomatic and economic.
On the diplomatic front, resolving the crisis in the Great Lakes region will also be an item on the agenda, given France's role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, which could propose resolutions relating to the situation in the east of the country.
Furthermore, President Tshisekedi will also have a meeting planned with French employers, the Movement of Companies of France (MEDEF).
This meeting will explore possibilities for strengthening economic and commercial partnerships between Congolese and French companies, thus promoting the growth and prosperity of both nations.
A DRC-France business forum will be organized in Bercy, headquarters of the French Ministry of the Economy, in the presence of President Tshisekedi.
This event aims to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
Investment opportunities in the strategic minerals, energy and infrastructure sectors in the DRC will be presented on occasion to French investors.
France reaffirms its support for the economic development of the DRC
Economic cooperation between France and the Democratic Republic of Congo was among the subjects at the center of discussions this Tuesday, April 30 in Paris, between the Congolese President, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.
Reporting on this meeting, Emmanuel Macron affirmed his country's desire to support the economic development of the DRC, particularly in the areas of support for critical metals, "sustainable cities" and digital transformation.
As part of strengthening investments and trade between the two countries, he announced the signing of a partnership between the French company Alstrom and Metro-Kin for the construction of an urban train network in Kinshasa.
France also intends to invest in other infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the railway corridor between the DRC and Angola or the extension of the Inga dam, indicated President Macron.
His country will participate with Congolese experts, continued the French head of state, in the mapping of minerals from the DRC, in order to ensure their traceability.
Finally, as part of multi-year partnerships between the two countries, France has supported the Congolese population with around 500 million euros since 2022, in the sectors of health, education, higher education, research, culture. and sports as well as forest protection.
mediacongo
Investment opportunities in strategic minerals, energy and infrastructure sectors in the DRC will be presented on occasion to French investors.