France loves Brazil, Macron says after meeting with Lula

Diplomatic visits by world leaders are usually lavish affairs, involving formal handshakes and press conferences.

But photos of French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Inacio Lula da Silva during his recent visit put more of a romantic holiday in mind.

Social media users compared the photos to wedding photos.

“It was a wedding,” Macron joked. “France loves Brazil and Brazil loves France!”

Macron spent a whirlwind three days in the country this week, visiting the Amazon, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia.

During a trip to the Amazon rainforest, Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were photographed holding hands and laughing.

“They're going to get married in the Amazon and spend their honeymoon in Paris,” one person mocked online as the photos turned into light-hearted memes.

In one of the edited images, red heart-shaped balloons were added to the men's hands.

In another clip, shared by Macron, the two men are seen walking side by side over a movie poster for the 2016 romantic musical La La Land.

The French leader used the response to his contacts with President Lula to highlight the strength of his country's relationship with Brazil.

“We have just opened a new chapter in our relationship!” He said.

Among the political announcements made during the trip was a new €1bn (£854m; $1bn) investment plan to help protect the Amazon rainforest.

Lula was similarly enthusiastic about the meeting, writing on X's website that “among the traditional powers, no one is closer to Brazil than France.”

He announced that he had presented his French counterpart with “five of the best and most awarded Brazilian cheeses”, as well as some sparkling wine.

“I think he'll love it,” Lola wrote on the X, accompanied by a cheese emoji.

Lula also outlined the main points of discussion between him and Macron, including new investment opportunities in Brazil's hotel, energy, defense and technology sectors.

However, there are some issues on which the couple does not fully see eye to eye, including Ukraine.

While France and other Western countries support Kiev in its conflict with Russia, President Lula has refused to condemn Russia, saying both sides share responsibility for the war.

However, this is by no means the first time that this title has been bestowed on a relationship the French leader has developed with one of his counterparts.

It is also not the first time that Macron's photos have sparked controversy.