On a working visit to Benin, the President of the French Republic, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel MACRON was received on Wednesday 27 July 2022 at the Marina Palace by the President of the Republic, Mr. Patrice TALON. With the Beninese Head of State, the French President discussed during a tête-à-tête, the evolution of bilateral cooperation between Benin and France which has known these last five years, according to President Patrice TALON, "an unparalleled development" and marked especially by its uncomplicated character. At the heart of the exchanges, various topics of interest including technical and vocational training, the fight against terrorism, and cultural cooperation between the two countries. A working session extended to members of both delegations, followed the tête-à-tête and led to the signing of partnership agreements on the educational and cultural fields. At the educational level, Benin's desire to emphasize technical and vocational training received a favorable response from France, which also pledged to support it with the European Union, with a view to implementing the reform on technical and vocational education and training (TVET). President Patrice Talon wished to increase French support in this area with, among other things, the deployment of trainers on site in Benin. In the area of military cooperation, the Beninese Head of State praised France's commitment to Benin in terms of intelligence and capacity building of Benin's armed forces. The President of the Republic hoped that this collaboration would be strengthened, in particular through the effective supply of military equipment. Coming back to the exchanges and the weight of economic relations between the two countries, President Patrice TALON also wished to see an increase in direct private investments from France because Benin now meets the criteria to attract massive investments. Also, President TALON said, "this is the place to be from now on, and the first come will be the best served. In the same dynamic, the Beninese President is pleased with the new wind blowing on the cultural cooperation between Benin and France. As evidenced by the other highlight of the stay of the President of the French Republic in Benin, the visit of the exhibition "Art of Benin yesterday and today: from restitution to revelation," consisting of 26 Royal Treasures returned by France to Benin in November 2021 and works of contemporary Beninese artists. Very moved, President Emmanuel MACRON was delighted with the enthusiasm generated by the Royal Treasures since their return to Benin. Charmed by the creative spirit of Beninese contemporary artists, President Macron officially requested his Beninese counterpart, President Talon, to host the exhibition of contemporary works in France. After these exchanges with the press, the working visit of the French President continued in the afternoon with two other meetings. The first, at the French school Montaigne of Cotonou and the second at the administrative pole of the International City of Innovation and Knowledge, Sèmè-City.