US President Joe Biden has arrived at the European Council. He will speak with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel. This morning Biden met King Philip.
In the afternoon, the American president continues his European tour and travels to the Swiss city of Geneva. There he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin tomorrow.
US President Joe Biden has arrived at the Europe building for the EU-US summit. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel greeted Biden with an “elbow”, and the three briefly posed for a photo.
“Dear Joe, you are back in Brussels, and the US is back on the world stage. That is fantastic news,” Michel said, welcoming. Von der Leyen also sounded positive: “The fact that you visit us so early during your presidency emphasizes your personal connection with Europe.” Von der Leyen briefly looked ahead to the future, assuring Biden that the European Union and the US are “friends and allies”. Biden himself emphasized how important he considers good ties with NATO and the EU.
This morning Biden arrived in “the beast”, the presidential vehicle, at the royal palace. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, our Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès (MR), was also present. The visit to the palace lasted only an hour.
Biden, De Croo and the king posed – at a distance of one and a half meters – for the official family photo. After this, the American president signed the Guldenboek, the guest book of the city of Brussels. Finally, the conversation followed to strengthen ties between the United States and Belgium.
