The Elysee Palace announced on Sunday the existence of a "great convergence of views" between French President Emmanuel Macron and his American counterpart, Joe Biden, on major international issues, especially combating the Corona epidemic within the framework of the World Health Organization and the climate.
In their first telephone conversation since the US President took office, they also expressed their "desire to work together for peace in the Near and Middle East, especially on the Iranian nuclear file," according to the French presidency.
Washington rejoined the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization after a 4-year break under the Donald Trump administration.
In a statement before the call, the French presidency stressed the importance Macron attaches to "the issue of European sovereignty, strategic independence and the future of NATO."
Macron and Biden spoke on the phone on November 10, days after the presidential election.
Biden stressed at the time his desire to revitalize bilateral and Atlantic relations, especially through NATO and the European Union, which were often bad in the era of Donald Trump.
The Elysee mentioned that Macron is the first head of state in the European Union to receive a call from Joe Biden since the latter arrived at the White House last Wednesday, which indicates "the desire for close cooperation between the two presidents."
Macron wants to "build a renewed dialogue" between the European Union and the United States, according to the French presidency, which made it clear that "it is about launching a very frank dialogue without denying the differences, especially on digital and commercial issues."
Macron, who came to power in 2017, had never met Biden, who was Vice President Barack Obama between 2009 and 2017.