French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived at Liberty Island on Thursday to take part in a ceremony ahead of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, in New York.

The statue was gifted to the United States by the French in 1886 as a symbol of American liberty. The statue was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886, on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, becoming a milestone of friendship between the two countries and one of the most recognized landmarks in the U.S.

Sarkozy and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered remarks on Liberty Island to celebrate the 125 years of friendship between New York City and France during the event.

They were joined by leaders from Tribeca Enterprises including Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, Reuters reports.

As the statue will turn 125 on Oct. 28, 2011, here are the pictures from the event in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty:

France, NYC Celebrate 125 Years of Statue of Liberty
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is seen near the Statue of Liberty as he arrives on Liberty Island to take part in a ceremony in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, in New York September 22, 2011. REUTERS
France, NYC Celebrate 125 Years of Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty peeks through thick morning fog in New York City prior to the event. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
France, NYC Celebrate 125 Years of Statue of Liberty
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) arrives on Liberty Island to take part in a ceremony in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, in New York September 22, 2011. REUTERS
France, NYC Celebrate 125 Years of Statue of Liberty
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stand in front of the Statue of Liberty prior to a ceremony in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in New York September 22, 2011. REUTERS
France, NYC Celebrate 125 Years of Statue of Liberty
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (2nd L) shakes hands with actor Robert De Niro (R), as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (L) and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal (C) look on prior to ceremonies in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, in New York September 22, 2011. REUTERS
France, NYC Celebrate 125 Years of Statue of Liberty
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) smiles next to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as they travel across New York Harbour to take part in a ceremony in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York September 22, 2011. REUTERS
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