France's Macron to8k8 casino login register make state visit to Germany in July

France's President Emmanuel Macron is set to make his first state visit to Germany in July, despite ongoing friction between the nations over several issues.

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the invitation was extended to Macron "to honor the close friendship of the two countries in the 60th year of the Elysee Treaty" on bilateral relations.

The office of the German president confirmed it will be the first state visit by a French president in 23 years, reported Agence France-Presse news service.

Macron will visit "several regions of Germany" in order to "underline the unique ties between our states, our citizens and particularly German and French youth", said a statement from the Berlin office.

"This special event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the decades-old friendship of the two countries," it added, "as well as the close personal ties" between Steinmeier and Macron.

A news release from Macron's office said Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was in Paris on Wednesday to prepare for the visit and join a Cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace.

The Times newspaper reported that Macron's visit to Germany will attempt to mend discord in the European Union's most important partnership, and that the trip will be crafted to present a sense of reconciliation and unity.

It noted there have been disagreements over policy and a lack of personal rapport between Macron and Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, over the past 18 months.

A notable likely stop on the tour will be in the eastern city of Dresden, where a semiconductor factory of 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) is being built, and Macron is expected to visit Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart, where former French leader Charles de Gaulle made a famous "speech to the German youth" in 1962.

AFP reported that Macron will travel to Germany ahead of the state visit on June 6, to plan for other key events, including a conference on a new global financial pact and a European Union summit in late June, and a NATO summit in July.

Disagreement on issues key to both governments has caused fissures in bilateral relations. Energy policy, reform of the EU's stability and growth pact, and major defense programs have proved contentious.

After he visited China last month, Macron caused concern among German officials by saying Europe should not be a "follower" of either Washington or Beijing, or get caught up in any escalation over Taiwan.

The Times said this was a clear example of the nations' divergence on foreign policy, noting the Russia-Ukraine conflict has pushed Germany closer to Washington and NATO, while Macron has called for more European "strategic sovereignty".