Mayor Eric Johnson met with officials in France on Monday to promote the interests of Dallas and strengthen business ties between Dallas and France.
Johnson is meeting with French leaders in the public and private sectors throughout the week to boost economic growth and enhance cultural exchange, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
After arriving in Paris on November 12, Johnson met with U.S Embassy representatives to discuss the “importance of trade and investments between Texas and France,” according to a release sent by the mayor’s office to The Dallas Express.
On November 13, Johnson traveled to one of Dallas’ sister cities — Dijon, France.
In Dijon, Johnson met with director of international relations Bertrand Fort, Deputy Mayor Lydie Pfander-Meny, and Mayor Rebsamen. His itinerary for his visit to Dijon was developed by Rebsamen “in close collaboration” with Ambassador Jeanne Phillips, chair of the mayor’s international advisory council, and Valérie Baraban, consul general of France.
Johnson toured Dijon’s city center, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Per the press release, Johnson met with Dijon mayor François Rebsamen and Dijon deputy mayor Lydie Pfander-Meny.
The mayors discussed the challenges and accomplishments of leading their respective cities. Johnson and Rebsamen said they were grateful for the long sister-city relationship between Dallas and Dijon.
Both mayors also “agreed on the importance of access to green spaces” for their residents. Public parks have been one of Mayor Johnson’s top three priorities in Dallas, along with public safety and property tax reform.
Furthermore, the two mayors met with Dijon-based biotech companies Crossject and Urgo Group to discuss the companies’ healthcare innovations.
Johnson also met with representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Paris, including senior commercial officer Scott Pozil; minister of economic affairs, environment, technology and health Amy Scheldbauer; and Richard Johns, U.S. consul to Lyon.
Johnson is scheduled to “attend additional high-level meetings” in Dijon on November 14, according to his office.