Senegal and France have decided to set up a joint commission to make arrangements for the departure of French elements from Senegal and for the restitution of [military] bases by the end of 2025. The two countries intend to work on a new defence and security partnership that takes account of all parties' strategic priorities.
France expresses its profound indignation following the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) humanitarian worker who had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis under inhumane conditions since last January. France offers its condolences to the loved ones of the victim and to the United Nations. France reiterates its strongest possible condemnation of the Houthis' arbitrary detention of employees the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and diplomatic missions. France demands (…)
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Noël Barrot, had a meeting today with his Brazilian counterpart, Mr Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. The two ministers discussed our two countries' various key engagements in 2025, in particular the UNOC3 summit in Nice and COP30 in Belém, with a view to coordinating our action and championing greater ambition in protecting the environment and fighting climate change. (…)
France is deeply concerned about the many civilian casualties – particularly children – and the people displaced as a result of the Israeli operations under way in the north of the West Bank. The way the use of force is being employed by the Israeli army in the West Bank is extremely concerning. France calls on the Israeli authorities to show the utmost restraint in the use of force and to comply with their international obligations under international humanitarian law by ensuring the (…)
France welcomes the formation of the new Lebanese government, less than a month after the election of President Joseph Aoun. It warmly congratulates him, President of the Council of Ministers Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, for their decisive contribution to this result. It wishes the new government every success in accomplishing its mission, on which it is embarking at a historic and crucial moment for Lebanon's future. France will stand alongside Lebanon to help it (…)
Joint statement from the governements of Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Iceland, Mexico, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and Sweden. In light of the upcoming Global AI Action Summit organised by France, we, the undersigned members countries of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse emphasize the critical need to address human rights and gender equality issues in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). With the rapid (…)
Q: According to Le Monde, Russian authorities canceled the accreditation of its Moscow correspondent. The Russian foreign ministry asserts that it will be renewed if Paris begins issuing visas to Russian journalists. How do you respond to that? A: France condemns the Russian authorities' decision to abruptly revoke the accreditation of Le Monde's Russia correspondent, Benjamin Quénelle. This decision is all the more significant in that it's the first time since 1957 that Le Monde – one of (…)
The working group of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine held its latest meeting on February 3 and 4 in Brussels. France is fully involved in this effort, which was initiated by Ukraine in 2022. In partnership with all the participating States, we made important progress on the texts that will provide for the establishment of the tribunal. France is playing a constructive role in these discussions in order to swiftly finalize this effort. In line with its (…)
On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, France demands an end to this intolerable form of violence without further delay. It is an unacceptable attack on the physical integrity and fundamental rights of women and girls. That makes it a human rights violation, which France condemns in the strongest possible terms. Throughout the world, France defends the right to have control over one's own body. It is an inalienable right that is fundamental to women's (…)
Amid a surge in attempts to interfere with European election processes, specifically via digital platforms, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Minister Delegate for Europe are particularly committed to supporting our affected partners and using all the necessary tools at the European and national levels to safeguard the integrity of elections. In this regard, the Service for Vigilance and Protection against Foreign Digital Interference (VIGINUM) published a report today on (…)
France reiterates its opposition to any forced displacement of Gaza's Palestinian population, which would constitute a serious violation of international law, an attack on the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and also a major obstacle to the two-state solution and a factor of major destabilization for our close partners, Egypt and Jordan, and the whole region. France will continue actively promoting the implementation of the two-state solution, which alone can guarantee long-term (…)
France stands with Sweden in the wake of the mass shooting on February 4 at an adult education center in Örebro, which left a dozen people dead and several injured. France sends the Swedish people and authorities a message of solidarity and support. In this tragic situation, it offers its heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.
On 5 February, France deposited with the United Nations Secretary-General its ratification instrument for the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement. This deposit completes the ratification process, following Parliament's unanimous adoption of the bill presented by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, (…)
France congratulates Hanna Tetteh on her appointment as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya. We assure her of our full support for her new position as the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). France encourages UNSMIL to pursue its mandate and continue its mediation efforts in order to ensure political unity in Libya. The revival of the political process led by and for Libyans is vital to the formation of a new unified government (…)
It was with great relief and emotion that we learned that our compatriot Ofer Kalderon has been released as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. We welcome the news that he has regained his freedom after more than 15 months of heinous captivity. We share in the joy of his friends and family, with whom the President of the French Republic spoke on 18 January and the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs met on 7 November in Tel Aviv, along with the Yahalomi (…)
We, the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany reiterate our grave concern regarding the Government of Israel's implementation of legislation forbidding any contact between Israeli state entities, officials and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East [UNRWA]; and prohibiting any UNRWA presence within Israel and East Jerusalem. We ask the Government of Israel to abide by its international obligations and live up to its (…)
In a show of support for the ceasefire, this morning France deployed three gendarmes specialized in border policing to serve with the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah). The Mission has about 20 staffers, mostly Italian and Spanish. The teams will act as trusted third parties at the Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt; they will also reinforce Palestinian Authority personnel at the crossing point, as several hundred civilians prepare (…)
How do you respond to Marco Rubio's remarks accusing France of not spending enough on defense? Q: How do you respond to Marco Rubio's remarks accusing France of not spending enough on defense? A: Since 2017, President Macron has worked to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy. The new geopolitical configuration is an opportunity for Europe to assert itself as the strategic power that it is. That was the strong message contained in the speech the President gave at the Sorbonne on April 25, (…)
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke today to his Haitian counterpart, Mr Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship. The two ministers reviewed the situation in Haiti. The [French] Minister reaffirmed France's support for the transitional authorities and for a restoration of the country's security that must lead to the organization of safe and free elections. France feels solidarity with Haitian victims of the violence (…)
France expresses its deep sadness following the collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter just outside of Washington, DC, on the night of January 29. The crash left several dozen dead. France offers its heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and loved ones, and expresses its solidarity with the American people and authorities.
France utterly condemns today's attack on its Embassy and other diplomatic missions by protesters in Kinshasa. It urgently calls on the Congolese authorities to ensure the integrity and security of all diplomatic missions on its territory, which is their responsibility and obligation under international law. France is doing all it can to guarantee the safety of its staff and French nationals in the (…)
Q: What is France's position on U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statements on moving Palestinians to Egypt and neighboring countries? A: France's position has not changed: any forced displacement of Gaza's population would be unacceptable. It would not only be a serious violation of international law, but also a major obstacle to the two-state solution and a destabilizing factor for our close partners, Egypt and Jordan. Gaza's future lies with a future Palestinian (…)
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke by phone with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, on January 27. During their conversation, the minister congratulated the Secretary of State on his unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate. With the new U.S. administration just taking up its duties, this call gave the ministers a chance to reaffirm their commitment to transatlantic ties and to the strong historic ties between France and the United States. The Minister and (…)
On this international day dedicated to the remembrance of genocides and the prevention of crimes against humanity, France commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau 80 years ago and remembers the victims of the Holocaust. President Macron, accompanied by Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad, will take part in the ceremonies. On January 27, 1945, the world discovered the horror of the genocide carried out by the Nazis and their allies. To make sure the world never forgets the (…)
France is working with its partners to implement the ceasefire in Lebanon. The deadline for the total Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon was extended until February 18. France urges the parties to fulfill their commitments as swiftly as possible so that Lebanon can regain sovereignty over all of its territory. We express our deep concern over the events that took place on January 26, in which 22 Lebanese citizens were killed in Israeli operations on Lebanese territory. We urgently (…)
