Foreign Affairs

Israel / Palestinian Territories - Q&A - (28 Dec 2021)

Q: On December 21, Nicolas de Rivière, France's permanent representative to the UN Security Council, issued a statement concerning the Israel-Palestine situation that attracted considerable attention. He emphasized international law, denounced the multiple announcements being made on settlements, and stressed the fact that France will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders (a statement disseminated by your department). However on December 26, the Israeli government approved a plan to (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

Russia - Liquidation of International Memorial Society - Statement issued by Jean-Yves Le Drian (28 Dec. 2021)

I was outraged and troubled to learn of the liquidation of the International Memorial Society by Russia's Supreme Court, while the other branch of this NGO, the Memorial Human Rights Center, is also facing court proceedings. In this 100th anniversary year of the birth of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, the organization's founder, this announcement is deeply disturbing for the future of historical research and the defense of human rights in Russia. As I emphasized at Charles (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

Situation of Yuri Dmitriyev - Q&A - (28 Dec. 2021)

Q: Russian historian Yuri Dmitriyev, a specialist on Stalin-era repression who works with the NGO Memorial, was sentenced on Monday to 15 years in prison. What is France's reaction, at a time when Memorial itself is risking liquidation? A: I refer you to today's statement by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Updated: Tue Dec 28 2021

A Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States

1. On January 19, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to the President a report on the Secretary's investigation into the effect of imports of aluminum articles on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). The Secretary found and advised...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

A Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States

1. On January 11, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to the President a report on the Secretary's investigation into the effect of imports of steel mill articles (steel articles) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). The...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Bill Signed: H.R. 1664

On Monday, December 27, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 1664, which authorizes the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work to honor Medal of Honor Recipients. Thank you to Representatives Veasey and Blake Moore, and Senators Cornyn and Kaine for their leadership.

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Bill Signed: S. 1605

On Monday, December 27, 2021, the President signed into law: S. 1605, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," which authorizes fiscal year 2022 appropriations principally for Department of Defense programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, and intelligence programs; specifies a military basic pay increase and other authorities relating...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Burkina Faso - France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack in the vicinity of You (27 Dec. 2021)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out in Northern Burkina Faso, in the vicinity of You, on December 23, which left several dozen civilians dead. It extends its condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Burkina Faso. Together with all the partners in the Coalition for the Sahel, France stands with the authorities of Burkina Faso to combat (...)

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Mali - Q&A - (27 Dec. 2021)

Q: The Malian government denies that it is deploying any mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group in Mali. It says they are Russian trainers who are in the country as part of a partnership between Moscow and Bamako. What is France's response, as it was one of some 15 Western countries that on Thursday announced this deployment? A: I refer you to the language in the joint statement we issued with some 15 of Mali's international partners on December (...)

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Readout of President Biden's Call with the NGA on COVID-19 Response

Today President Biden joined White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients, Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci, and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky for their regular call with the bipartisan National Governors Association regarding the country's COVID-19 response. After his public remarks, President Biden joined Jeff Zients, Dr. Fauci, and Dr. Walensky to...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

South Lawn 12:20 P.M. EST Q President Biden, why did your administration reject the holiday testing surge in October? Does the buck stop with you there - rejecting the surge? THE PRESIDENT: We didn't reject it. Q What did the governors tell you they're worried about? THE PRESIDENT: Well, they're not - they didn't tell...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Russia - Q&A - (23 Dec. 2021)

Q: Yesterday, the Russian President's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, expressed hope that negotiations on security guarantees could begin in January. Is France aware of Russian proposals relating to that issue? In your opinion, can our countries reach a consensus under the Russian initiative? Could negotiations begin in January? A: We are aware of the Russian proposals and we are working closely with our allies and partners to analyze them. As we have said regularly, a rigorous dialogue is (...)

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Polish National Security Bur

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone today with Poland's National Security Bureau Chief Pawel Soloch and Head of the International Policy Bureau Jakub Kumoch. They exchanged views on Russia's military build-up near Ukraine's border and affirmed the importance of Allied unity in diplomatic and deterrence efforts. Mr. Sullivan reiterated U.S. support for the North...

Updated: Mon Dec 27 2021

Statement by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Christmas

On behalf of our family, we wish a merry Christmas to everyone in the United States and around the world who is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the promise of hope and renewal. During this season of joy, we are inspired by the countless Americans who are a reminder that the things we...

Updated: Sat Dec 25 2021

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Arkansas Disaster Declaration

Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes from December 10 to December 11, 2021. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in...

Updated: Fri Dec 24 2021

Statement by the Spokespersons of the Foreign ministries of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States

France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States welcome the statement of the Secretary-General's Special Adviser (SASG) on Libya, Stephanie Williams on 23 December and commend the work of the SASG to engage in broad consultations across Libya over the past ten days. We express our strong support for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Support mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to further a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process towards the holding of free, fair and inclusive (...)

Updated: Fri Dec 24 2021

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on Russia

Via Teleconference 11:20 A.M. EST MODERATOR: Good morning, everyone, and thank you all for joining for today's press call on Russia. As a reminder of the ground rules, this call will be on background, attributable to a senior administration official. The contents of the call are embargoed until its conclusion. Not for attribution but for...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Bill Signed: H.R. 3537

On Thursday, December 23, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 3537, the "Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act," which requires the Department of Health and Human Services to create grant programs, a public-private partnership, and an action plan for the study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, including investigational drugs, Thank...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021

Bill Signed: H.R. 6256

On Thursday, December 23, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 6256, which bans imports from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) of the People's Republic of China and imposes sanctions on foreign individuals responsible for forced labor in the region, Thank you to Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Representatives McGovern and Chris Smith, and Senators...

Updated: Thu Dec 23 2021