Europe

French president headed to US in February

by Julian Pecquet - 11/22/13 11:42 AM ET

French President François Hollande will visit the White House in February, the White House announced Friday.

“Michelle and I look forward to welcoming President Hollande and Valérie Trierweiler on a state visit to the United States, to include a state dinner at the White House on February 11, 2014,” President Obama said in a statement.

{mosads}“The United States and France are close friends and allies, including through NATO, and our countries have worked together to support democracy, liberty, and freedom at home and abroad for more than two centuries.

The state visit comes as France is clashing with Obama over his reluctance to get more involved in the Middle East, a remarkable role reversal since then-President Jacques Chirac led the international opposition to the war in Iraq a decade ago.

France is now leading the push for a tougher nuclear deal with Iran and was one of the few nations ready to join Obama when he proposed military strikes against Syria in September.

“During the visit, we will discuss opportunities to further strengthen the U.S.-France security and economic partnership,” Obama said in a statement.

The visit was first announced by the French presidential palace on its Twitter feed.

Le président François Hollande effectuera une visite d’État aux États-Unis d’Amérique le 11 février 2014, à l’invitation de M. @BarackOBAMA

— Élysée (@Elysee) November 22, 2013