His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will visit the Occitanie region in France on Wednesday, October 1. They will visit the city of Toulouse. The Royal Couple will be accompanied by the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Aukje de Vries. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Robert Tieman, will also participate in the visit.
This visit marks a key moment in the Dutch-French Economic Year, agreed upon during President Macrons state visit to the Netherlands in April 2023. This year aims to stimulate trade relations, attract new mutual investments, and strengthen innovative partnerships and knowledge exchange. The working visit is focused on the bilateral Pact for Innovation and Sustainable Growth signed for cooperation in common strategic sectors such as aerospace, energy transition, and agri-food technology. An economic mission is taking place in parallel with companies, knowledge institutions, and governments from these sectors, with approximately 80 companies participating.
Morning
Reception by the Prefect
The morning starts with a reception by the Prefect of Occitanie and the President of the Regional Council at the Prefects residence. The Royal Couple, along with accompanying Dutch officials, will participate in a discussion with the Prefect and French ministers. Subsequently, the Prefect and King Willem-Alexander will give a brief press statement.
Airbus
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will visit the global headquarters of aircraft manufacturer Airbus. After a signing ceremony where various companies, knowledge institutions, and governments sign cooperation agreements, the Royal Couple will visit the Airbus Lycee. Here, they will speak with students who are completing part of their practical training at Airbus. Dutch and French teachers will also discuss how they share knowledge and organize training programs in aerospace. During a visit to the A350 Assembly Line, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will receive explanations about the production process of this type of aircraft and visit an A350 under construction. There will also be discussions about the role of the aviation sector in the region.
Afternoon
Visit to Domaine de Candie
In the afternoon, the Royal Couple will visit the urban farm Domaine de Candie, where the use of robotics in the agricultural sector is central. Occitanie is the largest agricultural region in France. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will receive explanations about the use and development of various robots. In a vineyard, they will speak with an entrepreneur about the use of robotics in wine production. Subsequently, the Royal Couple will receive a short tour of the chateau of the urban farm where wine production takes place. The visit to Domaine de Candie will conclude with the signing of various cooperation agreements in agriculture.
Evening
Reception at the Capitole, Town Hall of Toulouse
In the evening, the Royal Couple will attend a reception at the Capitole, the Town Hall of Toulouse. The King and the Mayor of Toulouse will give a brief speech. Subsequently, the Royal Couple will speak with representatives from the aviation, agriculture, and energy sectors, as well as participants from the Dutch trade mission and their French partners.
RVD, nr. 250
