Foreign Affairs

Ramy Shaath's situation- Q&A - (7 December 2021)

Q: One year ago, during the Egyptian President's visit to Paris, the French President raised the issue of the imprisonment of human rights activist Ramy Shaath, who is married to a French researcher. Since then, other visits have taken place and contracts have been signed with Egypt; why has the situation not evolved? Has his case been raised again and what has been the Egyptian authorities' response? A: As part of the rigorous, substantive dialogue that France maintains with Egypt on human (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

Beijing Olympics - Q&A - (7 December 2021)

Q: Is France prepared to follow the United States' lead in instituting a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing? A: As the Elysée has already indicated, we have taken note of the U.S. decision and will coordinate on this issue at the European level.

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

Dominican Republic - Franck Riester's visit (Dec. 9 - 10, 2021)

Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will be in the Dominican Republic for the final stage of his Latin American tour on December 9 and 10. He will meet with Lisandro Macarrulla, Minister of the Presidency, as well as Víctor Bisonó, Minister of Industry, Trade and SMEs; Monika Infante, head of the French-Dominican Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Carolina Mejía, Mayor of Santo Domingo. (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

FACT SHEET: President Biden Signs Executive Order Catalyzing America's Clean Energy Economy Through Federal Sustainability

U.S. Government Will Lead by Example to Leverage Scale and Procurement Power to Drive Clean, Healthy, and Resilient Operations Today, President Biden will sign an executive order that demonstrates how the United States will leverage its scale and procurement power to lead by example in tackling the climate crisis. The executive order will reduce emissions...

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

Iran - Q&A - (7 december 2021)

Q: Are you hoping to return to Vienna this week for negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue? A: Our goal remains the rapid conclusion of an agreement on the return of the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCoA) and of Iran to its commitments under that agreement. Time is of the essence. Time is of the essence because Iran is continuing its nuclear program, and its trajectory is extremely worrying. On December 1, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

Nord Stream 2 - Q&A - (8 December 2021)

Q: Do you believe, as Washington does, that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline should be used as leverage to deter Russia from invading Ukraine? A: As the heads of state and government of the NATO Quint discussed several times last week, we are monitoring the Ukraine situation very closely. The heads of state and government expressed their determination to see its sovereignty respected. Strong messages were conveyed to Russia on the massive strategic consequences that a new attack on Ukraine's (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

President Biden Announces Key Nominees

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve in key roles: Constance J. Milstein, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Malta Alina L. Romanowski, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iraq Margaret C. Whitman, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and...

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

South Lawn 10:59 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: I have some good news this morning: That Pfizer lab report came back saying that the expectation is that the existing vaccines protect against Omicron. But if you get the booster, you're really in good shape. And so that's very encouraging. That's the lab report. That's the lab report. ...

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

Saudia Arabia - Q&A - (8 December 2021)

Q: Yesterday evening, the Saudi Embassy said that the person who was arrested in France in connection with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi has no involvement with the case and demanded his immediate release. What is your response to that statement? Q: France has signed numerous cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia in recent days, the Consulate has a pavilion at the Red Sea Film Festival where the Ambassador appeared with Jack Lang... What is the Foreign Ministry's position on bilateral (...)

Updated: Wed Dec 08 2021

Colombia - Franck Riester's visit (Dec. 6 - 7, 2021)

Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will be in Colombia today and tomorrow as part of a visit to Latin America that will also take him to Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. He will be hosted by Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez and will meet with Maria Ximena Lombana Villalba, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism; and Diego Mesa Puyo, Minister of Energy and Mining. On these (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on the Summit for Democracy

Via Teleconference 9:05 A.M. EST SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: (In progress.) Great. Thanks. Hi everybody. Good morning. Thanks for being with us. After many months of planning across the U.S. government and with partners around the world, we're really excited to be on summit week. So, as I hope everybody knows, on Thursday and Friday, through the Summit...

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Coming to France? Your Covid-19 questions answered

LATEST NEWS - last updated on 7 December Check whether your country of departure is on the green, orange, red or scarlet list. Different rules apply according to each category. For the latest updates, please visit the English-language page of the Interior Ministry. 4 December 2021: Any person aged 12 and over entering French territory must present a negative PCR or antigen test less than 24 or 48 hours old, depending on the country of origin. The only exception is for people with a (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Ecuador - Franck Riester's visit (Dec. 8, 2021)

Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will be in Ecuador on December 8. He will be hosted by Ecuador's President, Guillermo Lasso, and he will meet with Julio José Prado, Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries; Simón Cueva, Minister of Economy and Finance; Juan Carlos Bermeo, Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources; and Marcelo Cabrera, Minister of (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Plans for $11 Billion to End Malnutrition at Global Nutrition Summit

"By investing in locally-designed and led nutrition programs, applying the evidence of what works, and adapting quickly, we can prevent child malnutrition, even in the time of COVID, and build a healthier world for everyone." USAID Administrator Samantha Power2021 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit At the 2021 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit, U.S. Agency...

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Iraq - Attacks in Diyala, Kirkuk and Erbil provinces (Dec. 7)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks carried out by Daesh in recent days against civilians and Peshmerga in Diyala, Kirkuk and Erbil provinces. It offers its sincere condolences to the victims' loved ones and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. Together with its partners, France will continue to stand by the Iraqi security forces and Peshmerga in the fight against terrorism and remains determined to continue its efforts to bring about the lasting defeat of Daesh. (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Letter to the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Regarding the War Powers Report

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about deployments of United States Armed Forces equipped for combat. MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF UNITED STATES COUNTERTERRORISM...

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Mali - France condemns in the strongest possible terms the December 3rd attack in Songho (Dec. 6)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the December 3rd attack in Songho, in the Bandiagara region, which killed at least 32 people and injured at least 18. Those responsible must be brought to justice and made to answer for their crimes. France offers its condolences to the victims' families and loved ones, and to all Malians. Along with all of its partners in the Coalition for the Sahel, France reaffirms its solidarity with Mali in the fight against (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Malta - Clément Beaune's visit (Dec. 7)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is visiting Malta today. He will be hosted by Malta's President, George Vella, and by Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela. He will also meet with Evarist Bartolo, the Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs. The Minister will address the challenges facing the French presidency of the EU Council beginning on January 1, 2022. He will cover social, digital, energy, (...)

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Official

Via Teleconference 12:32 P.M. EST MR. ZIENTS: Hi, everybody. It's Jeff Zients. Good afternoon. And thank you for joining us. We're doing this in a different format today due to the Summit for Democracy. So we'll host this as a phone briefing. Today, Dr. Walensky will provide an update on the Omicron cases in the...

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Readout of President Biden's Video Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. held a secure video call today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss a range of issues on the U.S.-Russia agenda. President Biden voiced the deep concerns of the United States and our European Allies about Russia's escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine and made clear that the U.S. and...

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021

Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with President Macron of France, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Draghi of

President Biden briefed leaders on his call with President Putin, in which he discussed the serious consequences of Russian military action in Ukraine and the need to de-escalate and return to diplomacy. The leaders underscored their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the need for Russia to reduce tensions and engage...

Updated: Tue Dec 07 2021