To start the 80th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's June 18 call, Emmanuel Macron went on Thursday June 18 to the Liberation Museum at the Invalides. He spoke with Hubert Germain, 99, one of the last four Companions of the Liberation.

"We must be inspired by this strength of soul," said the head of state: "Your courage, your virtue in the Roman sense, are a pride for our country and still inspire us. will make sure that every kid knows what he owes you. "

In the museum were presented to him in particular the original text of the Call, as well as a display case with the photos of the six women companions of the Liberation.

80th anniversary of the June 18 appeal: tributes in France and London

Then, the president attended the traditional ceremony at the Mont Valérien memorial, the main place of execution of resistance fighters and hostages during the Second World War. The opportunity for him to call for the unity of the nation, when all his opponents compete for the heritage of General de Gaulle. The Patrouille de France and the Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force flew over the site, then the statue of Winston Churchill in front of the Petit Palais.

With a small delegation, Emmanuel Macron will then fly to London - where the quarantine requirement for foreign visitors exempts diplomatic visits - to pay tribute to the city which was the capital of Free France.

It will be his first trip abroad since his visit to Naples on February 27 for an Italian-French summit. In the presence of Prince Charles, Emmanuel Macron will present the Legion of Honor to the city of London.

The day after his arrival, de Gaulle called on the French military, engineers and workers to join him to continue the fight against Nazi Germany. "Whatever happens, the flame of the French Resistance must not go out and will not go out," he said in concluding his speech.

The visit comes as London and Brussels try to unblock negotiations for a post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the European Union after the end of the transition period on December 31.

Interview with Boris Johnson

Emmanuel Macron will conclude his visit with an interview with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, where Brexit negotiations should be on the menu. 

"This is a very important visit that will allow progress on all the subjects of the moment," Foreign Minister Dominic Raab told the BBC on Thursday. "Yes, we want to talk" about Brexit, he added, because "while leaving the EU, we can and we want to build even stronger relations in Europe with our closest neighbors", he said. -he adds.

This trip will be for the Head of State the second event in the framework of "the year of Gaulle" after the celebration, on May 17, of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Montcornet (Aisne) and before the 50th anniversary of the death of the general in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises on November 9. 

With AFP

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