Foreign Affairs

Nepal - Search mission (Nov. 5, 2021)

France is sending a search mission to Nepal today to find our three compatriots who were swept away by an avalanche in late October. This extraordinary operation organized by the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of France in Katmandu will be carried out by the Gendarmerie Nationale. The operation will be conducted by a 14-person team that includes 10 gendarmes from various High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoons (PGHM), the Mountain (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Niger - Attack on Banibangou (Nov. 2, 2021)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out on November 2 near Banibangou in the Tillaberi region of western Niger, which killed several dozen civilians. It offers its condolences to the victims' families and to the Nigerien people. Along with all the partners of the Coalition for the Sahel, France stands with Niger to combat terrorism and protect the people by supporting Nigerien defense and security forces and by supporting authorities' efforts to restore basic (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Portugal - Cl�ment Beaune's visit (Nov. 5, 2021)

Cl�ment Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is traveling to Portugal today. There he will meet with Ana Paula Zacarias, the Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs; they will discuss French-Portuguese bilateral relations, and particularly the "cultural season" that will run simultaneously in both countries from February to October 2022. They will also address the challenge of ocean conservation ahead of the One (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:07 P.M. EST MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hi, everybody. Wow. This is all for Pete. I know. I know, it's all for - we like to call him "Secretary Mayor Pete." (Laughs.) All right, good afternoon, everyone. Good to see everybody. Joining us today, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who - surprise, surprise - is here to talk about the...

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Remarks by President Biden Honoring the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks

South Lawn 3:31 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It's an honor. It's an honor to host the 2021 NBA championship - the champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. (Applause.) I - congratulations to team owners Marc and Wes and Jamie and Mike. And to two dear, dear friends, Ted and Mary Kellner - you won't...

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh's Travel to Ghana and Senegal

Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Daleep Singh led a U.S. delegation to Ghana and Senegal to discuss the infrastructure needs within these countries and around the region. Singh was joined by Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Alexia Latortue and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's (USAID) Deputy Assistant Administrator for...

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Statement by President Joe Biden on Today's Counter Ransomware Actions

Cyber threats are a concern for every American, every business regardless of size, and every community. Since the earliest days of my Administration, cybersecurity has been a core priority as we have marshaled a comprehensive national effort, as well as broad international coordination, to protect our people and critical infrastructure, our allies, and our interests....

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Nicaragua's Sham Elections

What Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, orchestrated today was a pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic. The arbitrary imprisonment of nearly 40 opposition figures since May, including seven potential presidential candidates, and the blocking of political parties from participation rigged the outcome well...

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on Her Trip to France

Tonight, I will travel to France at the invitation of President Macron to build on our Administration's progress strengthening our alliances and partnerships in Europe and around the world. During my visit, I will join leaders at the Paris Peace Forum to address the rising inequality that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. To promote...

Updated: Mon Nov 08 2021

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Terrorist Attack in Iraq

I strongly condemn the terrorist attack targeting the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi. I am relieved the Prime Minister was not injured and commend the leadership he has shown in calling for calm, restraint, and dialogue to protect the institutions of the state and strengthen the democracy Iraqis so richly deserve. The perpetrators of...

Updated: Sun Nov 07 2021

Fact Sheet: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

Today, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure and competitiveness. For far too long, Washington policymakers have celebrated "infrastructure week" without ever agreeing to build infrastructure. The President promised to work across the aisle to deliver results and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. After the...

Updated: Sat Nov 06 2021

Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:04 P.M. EDT MS. JEAN-PIERRE: All right, everyone. Happy Friday. Q Happy Friday. (Laughter.) MS. JEAN-PIERRE: It's been a long week. It's been a long week. Okay, I got a couple toppers for all. So, President Biden's economic plan is working. And thanks to his Rescue Plan and our successful vaccine program, America...

Updated: Sat Nov 06 2021

Remarks by President Biden on Passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

State Dining Room 9:59 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, folks. Well, finally: Infrastructure Week. (Laughter.) I'm so happy to say that: Infrastructure Week. (Laughs.) Folks, yesterday - I don't think it's an exaggeration to suggest that we took a monumental step forward as a nation. We learned that our economy created 5.6 million jobs...

Updated: Sat Nov 06 2021

Statement by President Joe Biden

I am urging all members to vote for both the rule for consideration of the Build Back Better Act and final passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill tonight. I am confident that during the week of November 15, the House will pass the Build Back Better Act. ###

Updated: Sat Nov 06 2021

Fishing licenses - Q&A - (4 november 2021)

Q: Concerning the Channel Islands: Is France negotiating directly with the autonomous authorities of those islands on the question of fishing licenses? A: The issuance of fishing licenses for European vessels and their access to British waters is linked to the proper implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed by the EU and the United Kingdom.

Updated: Fri Nov 05 2021

Iran - JCPoA - Q&A - (04 Nov. 2021)

Q: By announcing that it will return to Vienna for nuclear negotiations on November 29, hasn't Iran succeeded in deflecting any possible reaction by you at the next IAEA board meeting with regard to any failure on its part to cooperate with the organization? A: We remain extremely concerned by Iran's failure to comply with its obligations toward the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), especially the commitments it itself took with regard to the Agency on September 12. Iran must (...)

Updated: Fri Nov 05 2021

Lebanon - Saudi Arabia - Q&A - (04 Nov. 2021)

Q: Do you think Saudi Arabia's decision not to deal with Lebanon and its current government because of Hezbollah's dominance on the political scene is a mistake? A: France is in close contact with all the concerned parties. It urges all the regional actors and Lebanese leaders to promote calm and dialogue, in the interest of the Lebanese people and Lebanon's stability, which is crucial for the region. Lebanon's non-involvement in regional crises is of key importance. Lebanon must therefore be (...)

Updated: Fri Nov 05 2021

Madagascar - COP26 - Q&A - (04 Nov. 2021)

Q: Was the famine in southern Madagascar discussed by the French delegation to COP26? A: The famine in Madagascar is extremely worrying. For the first time, the World Food Programme has established a direct causal link between climate change and famine. COP26 must enable us to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement in terms of mitigation, adaptation and financial assistance for developing countries embedded in national policies. France is fully committed to these three (...)

Updated: Fri Nov 05 2021

OECD/Development Assistance Committee - Agreement on aligning official development assistance with the Paris Agreement and ex

JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY FOR EUROPE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTRY OF THE ECONOMY, FINANCE AND THE RECOVERY On the eve of COP26, the biggest donors of official development assistance (ODA), meeting as part of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee, agreed on 27 October 2021 to more effectively align ODA with the Paris Agreement targets, excluding from the scope of assistance any support for coal without abatement mechanisms, of which the Development Assistance (...)

Updated: Fri Nov 05 2021

President Biden Announces Additional Members of His Diplomatic and Homeland Security Teams

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve in key roles: Laura Farnsworth Dogu, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Honduras Kenneth L. Wainstein, Nominee for Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security Laura Farnsworth Dogu, Nominee for...

Updated: Fri Nov 05 2021

Remarks by President Biden on the October Jobs Report

State Dining Room 10:52 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today is another great day for our economic recovery. America is getting back to work. Our economy is starting to work for more Americans. Thanks to the economic plan we've put through in Congress earlier this year and a successful vaccine deployment, America continues to...

Updated: Fri Nov 05 2021

Background Press Call on OSHA and CMS Rules for Vaccination in the Workplace

(November 3, 2021) 6:12 P.M. EDT MR. MUNOZ: All right. Good evening. Thank you, everybody, for joining. Thanks for joining us tonight for an embargoed press call on the forthcoming OSHA and CMS vaccination policies. As a reminder, this call is embargoed until tomorrow, November 4th at 8:45 a.m., and the entire call will be attributable to...

Updated: Thu Nov 04 2021