The host of the G7 summit, French President Emmanuel Macron, paid tribute to the huge security operation safeguarding world leaders flying in for the 3 days of talks. AP’s John Leicester is there.
With world leaders flying in, the G7 summit venue in Evian-les-Bains is being transformed from a placid lakeside French town to something of a security fortress, with police patrols on many streets and corners, checking passes and watching crowds.
Macron, the summit host, dropped by a temporary headquarters for the security operation in Evian on Monday morning, to thank officers for their work.
He called the 3-day summit on the Middle East, Ukraine, trade and other issues “a big source of pride for France, a big responsibility.”
“We’ll try to make maximum progress on all the issues that are important for our country, our continent and also for global peace and prosperity,” Macron told assembled police officers, gendarmes, firefighters, health workers and other personnel.
Macron said nearly 13,800 officers were deployed for the security operation.
“Only your collective mobilization makes this possible,” he said. “Good luck for the coming days. Keep up the work.”