Foreign Affairs

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minister Delegate’s meeting with his Quint counterparts in London (28.03.25)

In London today, Minister Delegate Benjamin Haddad and his [UK] counterpart, Stephen Doughty, hosted a meeting by video conference with their counterparts in the Quint format (France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union), devoted to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina is going through a serious political and constitutional crisis following the verdict issued on 26 February against Mr Milorad Dodik, President of the Bosnian Serb (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 31 2025

Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom as well as the H

Three days after the anniversary of the Bucha massacre, we reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, building on our Warsaw Declaration of 19 November, our Berlin Declaration of 12 December and our Paris Declaration of 12 February. Ukraine has shown its strong commitment to peace, also by agreeing to a full (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 31 2025

Lebanon - Upsurge in Israeli strikes (28.03.25)

France is observing the upsurge in Israeli strikes in Lebanon with great concern. It strongly condemns the firing of rockets against Israel from Lebanese territory on the morning of 28 March, which led to the ongoing Israeli retaliation. France calls on all the parties to show the utmost restraint in order to prevent an escalation dangerous to the long-term survival of the ceasefire reached on 26 November 2024, at a time when international efforts to finalize the commitments made in that (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 31 2025

Myanmar - Death of two French nationals (31.03.25)

We were saddened to learn of the death of two French nationals in the earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28. We send our condolences to their families and loved ones. France's embassies in Rangoon and Bangkok are fully mobilized and closely monitoring the situation, together with the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Updated: Mon Mar 31 2025

South-East Asia - Earthquake (28.03.25)

France sends its condolences to the families and loved ones of the many victims of the earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, 28 March. France expresses full solidarity with the people of Myanmar and Thailand at this difficult time. The French Embassies in Yangon and Bangkok are fully mobilized to monitor the situation, in liaison with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Crisis and Support (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 31 2025

Syria - Announcement of a new government (30.03.25)

France welcomes the formation of a new government in Syria on 29 March. In accordance with the principles set out in the statement adopted in Paris on 13 February following the international conference on Syria, it stands ready to support the Syrian authorities for a peaceful and inclusive political transition which guarantees the protection of Syria's pluralism and the rights of all Syrians, and allows Syria to regain its unity and (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 31 2025

UN - Armenia signs on to French-Mexican initiative to regulate veto powers at the Security Council (31.03.25)

France and Mexico welcome Armenia's decision to join the initiative to limit veto powers at the Security Council in cases of mass atrocities. This announcement reflects a commitment to effective multilateralism, bolstering the Security Council's ability to act in such situations. France, which will chair the Security Council for one month starting on April 1, pledged in 2015 not to use its veto power in cases of mass atrocities. This initiative, which we launched with Mexico the same year, (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 31 2025

The Nutrition for Growth Summit mobilizes over US$27 billion to reach nutrition-related Sustainable Development Goals (2

On March 27 and 28, 2025, at the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G), which was organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs under the auspices of Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, the international community made ambitious commitments to tackle the challenge of malnutrition in all its forms. Close to US$28 billion in nutrition funding to reach Sustainable Development Goals was announced, attesting to the exceptional degree of (…)

Updated: Sat Mar 29 2025

Joint statement between the people's Republic of China and the French Republic on climate change on the occasion of the

The People's Republic of China and the French Republic (hereinafter referred to as “the two sides”): Considering the urgency of responding to the climate crisis and its impact on ecosystem, civil society and global economy, Recognizing the indispensable role of international cooperation in implementing the three Rio Conventions, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Reiterating the (…)

Updated: Thu Mar 27 2025

United States - Conversation between the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and his American counterpart (27.03.25)

On March 26, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of their regular discussions concerning the follow-up to U.S. negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. Secretary of State outlined the progress made at the Riyadh session, the agreement in principle on a ceasefire with regard to the Black Sea, first of all, and the remaining difficulties and necessary clarifications from Russia. He noted that the April 3rd NATO meeting at (…)

Updated: Thu Mar 27 2025

United Nations - Adoption of the resolution on the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (25.03.25)

France and Brazil welcome the United Nations General Assembly's adoption, following more than 100 co-sponsorships, of a resolution extending the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition until 2030. The resolution, on their initiative, supports political momentum at every level to eradicate all forms of malnutrition, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda. On 27 and 28 March, France is hosting the Nutrition for Growth summit, which promotes a (…)

Updated: Wed Mar 26 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Situation in the West Bank (25.03.25)

France condemns the growing violence committed by extremist settlers against the Palestinian population throughout the West Bank, especially in Masafer Yatta and Susya. The Israeli authorities must punish the perpetrators of this violence, which continues with complete impunity, and must protect Palestinian civilians. In particular, France condemns the attack against filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the film No Other Land, which was awarded the Ministry for Europe and Foreign (…)

Updated: Tue Mar 25 2025

United States - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (25.03.25)

Q : The remarks reported by The Atlantic, which were made by U.S. officials including the Vice President and the Secretary of Defense, reveal a certain animosity toward Europe. How does this vision of the United States impact your relations? More generally speaking, does this casual handling of highly sensitive topics call into question intelligence cooperation with the United States? R : France is not in the habit of commenting on reported remarks, no matter how surprising they may be. (…)

Updated: Tue Mar 25 2025

Francophonie Month 2025: Update on the implementation of the commitments made at the Villers-Cotterêts summit (21 March 2025)

To mark Francophonie Month, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, and the Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, welcome the progress in implementing the 16 commitments made by President Macron, the leaders of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and civil society stakeholders during the 19th Francophonie summit, held in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris on 3 and 4 October 2024. At the first meeting of the (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 24 2025

Situation in Lebanon (22.03.25)

France expresses its deep concern over the renewed tensions in southern Lebanon. It condemns the firing of rockets against Israel from Lebanese territory and calls on Israel to show restraint following the resumption of its strikes in response to this rocket fire. France calls on all the parties to honour the commitments made under the ceasefire reached in November 2024, in order to prevent an escalation which could have serious consequences for the security of Lebanon, Israel and the whole (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 24 2025

Situation in Turkey following the imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu (23.03.25)

The imprisonment of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, and numerous other figures is a serious attack on democracy. France reiterates is deep concern in this regard. Respect for the rights of opposition elected representatives, the freedom to demonstrate and freedom of expression are cornerstones of the rule of law. As a member State of the Council of Europe and a candidate for European Union membership, Turkey has freely subscribed to commitments in this regard. Honouring these (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 24 2025

Israel / Palestinian Territories - Joint Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France, Germany and the United

The resumption of Israeli strikes in Gaza marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza, the hostages, their families and the entire region. We are appalled by the civilian casualties and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire. We call on all parties to re-engage with negotiations to ensure the ceasefire is implemented in full and becomes permanent. This must include Hamas releasing the hostages that they have cruelly detained and persistently refuse to release. All (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 21 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Two French nationals wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza (21 Mar. 2025)

France is deeply distressed that two French nationals employed by the UN were seriously wounded in airstrikes that hit several buildings housing UN personnel in Gaza. Those strikes also killed a UNOPS employee. We offer our fellow citizens and their families our support and solidarity and stand ready to assist them. As the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs stated, we reiterate our condemnation of this attack on a UN building, which is unacceptable, and we call for a swift and (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 21 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Death of a UN employee in Gaza (20 Mar. 2025)

France condemns the March 19th attack on a United Nations building in the Gaza Strip that killed one UNOPS employee and seriously wounded several others. France offers its condolences to the victim's loved ones and to the UN, and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. This very serious incident must be thoroughly investigated to determine those responsible. The protection of humanitarian personnel, who have already paid a very heavy toll in Gaza, must be guaranteed in all circumstances in (…)

Updated: Thu Mar 20 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - French hospitals welcome Palestinian patients (20 Mar. 2025)

France continues to mobilize its efforts to assist civilian populations in the Gaza Strip. In that regard, on March 19 it took part in a joint operation with the EU and the World Health Organization providing for the medical evacuation of 22 Palestinian patients from the Gaza Strip. Three of them are being treated in France; two are children accompanied by their families. Upon their arrival in Paris, the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Health (…)

Updated: Thu Mar 20 2025

Cyprus - Informal meeting in a broader format (19 Mar. 2025)

France welcomes the informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format in Geneva on 17 and 18 March, under the aegis of the United Nations Secretary-General. The meeting is a positive sign. It should enable the necessary trust to be restored for negotiations to resume towards a fair and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of a bizonal and bicommunal federation, respecting the parameters set out by the Security Council and the acquis communautaire. France backs the United (…)

Updated: Wed Mar 19 2025

Turkey - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (19 Mar. 2025)

Q: What is your reaction to the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul and President Erdogan's main opponent? A: We were deeply concerned to learn this morning of the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul and opposition leader, along with many other figures. As the Council of the European Union recalled in its conclusions on enlargement adopted on December 17, it is important that Turkey comply with the international commitments that it freely entered into, especially as (…)

Updated: Wed Mar 19 2025

Ukraine - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (19 Mar. 2025)

Q: Do you consider Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's discussions regarding the war in Ukraine to be a step in the right direction, despite Russia's refusal of an immediate ceasefire? A: Every discussion regarding the prospect of a ceasefire is useful. However, yesterday evening's Russian strikes on Ukraine, some of which targeted civilian infrastructure, are proof of the discrepancy between what Moscow says and what it does. Unlike Russia, Ukraine has agreed to an immediate, full and (…)

Updated: Wed Mar 19 2025

Albania - Meeting between Jean-Noël Barrot and his counterpart (18 Mar. 2025)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs hosted his Albanian counterpart, Igli Hasani. The Minister hailed the quality and intensity of French-Albanian relations. He recalled France's full support of Albania's European prospects and our desire to continue supporting the country as it implements the necessary reforms. He thanked Albania for hosting the European Political Community Summit this coming May 16 in (…)

Updated: Tue Mar 18 2025

European Union - Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council (17 Mar. 2025)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot took part in yesterday's EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where important discussions were held on several topical international issues. With regard to the situation in Ukraine, France reiterated the need to strengthen military support for Ukraine and to step up pressure on Russia by adopting additional sanctions. During the month of March, the EU allocated nearly €4.5 billion to support Ukraine. The Member States stressed the (…)

Updated: Tue Mar 18 2025