King Mohammed starts state visit to France
Morocco-France, Politics, 3/20/2000

King Mohammed VI arrived in Paris Sunday afternoon on a state visit to France March 19-23, his first ever abroad since coming to power in July 1999, at the invitation of President Jacques Chirac.

The king is accompanied by his sister Princess Lalla Hasna and a large party including Cabinet members.

Talks with President Chirac, Premier Lionel Jospin and speakers of the French Senate and National Assembly will cover new ways to enhance exceptionally close friendship and cooperation ties between France and the kingdom.

Upon arrival, King Mohammed VI was greeted by the French head of state and his spouse.

After leaving Orly Airport's official lounge, the official parade stopped, in an unprecedented move for French protocol, to allow the king, followed by President Chirac, to walk to hundreds of Moroccan nationals cheering him. Waving hands, he drew near loving subjects to greet them and shake hands with many in a spontaneous move of affection and loyalty.

In the same warm welcome, a token of love and hope from the Moroccan community in France, the parade was met with in the very heart of Paris at the Concorde Square lavishly adorned with Moroccan colors, not far from where the sovereign will be staying.

King Mohammed VI has a private lunch Monday with President Chirac who hosts tonight an official dinner reception in his honor.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan speaker meets in Paris French and Algerian peers   (3/16/2000)
  Moroccan gets French Philippe Habert Prize   (3/16/2000)
  King Mohammed's visit to Paris to innovate cooperation   (3/16/2000)

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