State Visit to France, 2-4 December

The State Visit is an excellent opportunity to further strengthen the close political, economic and cultural ties between Sweden and France. The themes of the State Visit are science and research, environmental and integration issues, and Sweden as a creative culture and lifestyle nation.

In connection with the visit, the Swedish Embassy in Paris is organising a week of cultural activities and events related to health, energy and innovation. The week will bear the motto La Suède en lumière (Sweden in light), and light – an important element in Swedish traditions – will be its symbol. The aim is to inspire curiosity and interest among French people in Sweden as an innovative and environmentally aware country.

For Swedish companies, the State Visit provides an opportunity to build on the already strong trade relations, make new contacts in France, showcase Sweden as an attractive investment country and investigate the conditions for Swedish investments in the French market. Jens Spendrup, Chair of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, and Ylva Berg, CEO of Business Sweden, will head the business delegation that will accompany the visit.

Programme points from the State Visit, 2-4 December

Tuesday 2 December

The first day begins with a welcome ceremony and continues with a meeting with President Hollande, ending with a state banquet in the evening hosted by the President.

For the business delegation and French business contacts, an economic forum will be held together with the OECD on the theme of green growth and globalisation. Internationally renowned business leaders and economists will take part and discuss future challenges.

Wednesday 3 December

Environment, health and integration
Wednesday will be the day for science and research. The King will inaugurate the international high-level conference on environment and energy that France and Sweden are jointly hosting. Leading politicians, experts and companies have been invited to attend. Climate and energy issues are crucial to France and the preparations are well under way for the climate summit, COP 21, to be held in Paris towards the end of next year.

Research in the area of health will also be highlighted during the day. Queen Silvia will present a science prize for research in the area of child cancer. Following the prize ceremony, a seminar will take place, focusing on young researchers and the development of Swedish-French research cooperation. In parallel with this, a business-oriented event will be held for French and Swedish companies on the theme of biotechnology. This event will showcase how the latest Swedish-French research findings have been translated into applications that are ready for market.

Culture and integration are other issues that will feature during the State Visit, and there will be a visit to the cultural centre ‘Le CENTQUATRE-PARIS’. The centre offers art exhibitions, concerts, theatre, new circus, street art and more. Le CENTQUATRE-PARIS has attracted attention for having created a lively meeting place for young people’s culture and creativity.

Wednesday's programme will conclude with a dinner hosted by the King and Queen.

Thursday 4 December

Toulouse
On the third day of the State Visit, the King and Queen will travel to Toulouse, which is a centre for space and aeronautical research and related industries. The King and Queen will visit Airbus and the French space institute CNES, where important international research is being conducted in each area. The visit to Toulouse will also include some cultural elements.

The State Visit will conclude late on Thursday afternoon.

Media accreditation

Swedish media representatives need special accreditation via the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs to be able to cover the visit in France.

For French and international media representatives, accreditation will be dealt with by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.