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Biden, Macron discuss efforts to enable stronger, more capable European defense - WH

WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- US President Joe Biden spoke Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron during which they discussed "efforts to enable a stronger and more capable European defense while ensuring complementarity with NATO." The White House said in a statement that two leaders also reviewed "ongoing efforts by their teams to support stability and security in the Sahel and to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific." It noted that Biden "looks forward" to the meeting with Macron in Rome, Italy later this month, where they will "take stock of the many areas of US-France cooperation and reinforce our shared interests and common values as we take on challenges and opportunities together." Biden also noted the visit by Vice President Kamala Harris to Paris next month "as a key opportunity to further enhance US-France cooperation on a range of global challenges." Meanwhile, the Vice Presidentآ’s Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson Symone Sanders said in a separate statement that Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will travel to Paris in November.
The statement said that Harris will attend and deliver a speech at the fourth annual Paris Peace Forum on November 11. She will also participate in the Paris Conference on Libya on November 12.
The statement added "while in Paris, the Vice President will meet with Macron during which they will discuss the importance of the transatlantic relationship to global peace and security and underscore the importance of our partnership on global challenges from COVID-19 and the climate crisis to issues affecting the Sahel and the Indo-Pacific." (end) si