Biden to meet Macron for bilateral talks at end of month

Washington, October 23 (BNA) The White House said on Friday, after a phone conversation between the two presidents, that US President Joe Biden plans to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Rome at the end of this month.

A dispute over a major submarine contract has caused a major rift between the two countries – a deal arranged separately by the United States caused the cancellation of a 56 billion euro ($66 billion) submarine contract between Australia and France, German news agency dpa reported. .

It is not clear if the talks will take place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome or if a meeting is scheduled in another format.

The G20 summit brings together the heads of state and government of major economic powers on October 30-31.

Biden and Macron also exchanged views on European defense in the phone call, according to reports.

The White House announced Friday that Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Paris in November and meet with Macron. Harris is scheduled to speak at the Paris Peace Forum on November 11.

NS