Foreign Affairs

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

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Israeli strikes on Gaza (18 Mar. 2025)

France condemns the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip that began yesterday, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties. France calls for the immediate termination of hostilities, which compromise the efforts to free the hostages and threaten the lives of the civilian populations in Gaza. All parties must resume complying with the ceasefire in its entirety and take part in good-faith negotiations so that the ceasefire endures. France calls on the Israeli authorities to assure the (…)

Updated: Tue Mar 18 2025

Iran/United Arab Emirates (17 Mar. 2025)

France has always supported and continues to support an amicable and peaceful solution to any differences on the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunb, through bilateral engagement between Iran and the UAE on the basis of international law.

Updated: Mon Mar 17 2025

North Macedonia - Fire in Kočani (16 Mar. 2025)

France was deeply shocked to hear about the tragedy which occurred in Kočani, North Macedonia, on 15 March. It extends its sincerest condolences to the bereaved and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.

Updated: Mon Mar 17 2025

Armenia/Azerbaijan - Successful negotiation of a peace treaty (13 Mar. 2025)

France welcomes the announcement of the successful negotiation of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It very much hopes that it can be signed as soon as possible. The normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with due regard for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the two States, must allow the South Caucasus to become a space for peace, integration and cooperation, with open borders, benefiting the populations of the (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 14 2025

Canada - Appointment of Mr. Mark Carney as Prime Minister of Canada (14 Mar. 2025)

France warmly congratulates Mark Carney on his appointment as Prime Minister of Canada. France and Canada have a unique relationship based on deep historic, cultural and human ties as well as a shared commitment to multilateralism, democratic values and the ecological transition. Mr. Carney's government can count on France to further deepen our partnership.

Updated: Fri Mar 14 2025

Joint statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Charlevoix (14 Mar. 2025)

We the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met in Charlevoix on March 12 to 14, 2025. Ukraine's long-term prosperity and security We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence. We welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 14 2025

Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan - Signing of a border delimitation treaty (14 Mar. 2025)

France welcomes the signing in Bishkek on 13 March of the final border delimitation agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan. The announcement, which comes at the end of a long process, sends an important signal for stability and the continued regional integration of the five countries of Central Asia. The reopening of the borders is an essential stage in strengthening human and economic exchanges. In this same spirit of normalizing relations between Central (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 14 2025

United Arab Emirates - Conversation between Jean-Noël Barrot and his Emirati counterpart (12 Mar. 2025)

On March 11, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot hosted his Emirati counterpart, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Paris. The two ministers praised the outstanding strategic partnership between France and the UAE, rooted in more than 50 years of friendship. They underscored their shared desire to deepen this partnership in every area, including artificial intelligence, following the signing of a joint framework agreement during a visit to Paris by the (…)

Updated: Wed Mar 12 2025

OAS - Election of Secretary General Albert Ramdin (11 Mar. 2025)

France congratulates Albert Ramdin, Suriname's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on his election as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) at the General Assembly held in Washington on March 10. This makes him the OAS's first Caribbean secretary general. France, which has been an OAS observer country since 1972, is staunchly committed alongside the organization and its member states to promoting democracy, human rights, sustainable development and security in the Americas (…)

Updated: Tue Mar 11 2025

Syria - Agreement between Syria’s interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (11 Mar. 2025)

France hails the agreement signed by Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Syria's interim government at their second meeting in Damascus on March 10. This political agreement, to which we contributed along with our American partners, is a positive step toward a peaceful negotiated solution comprising the unification of Syria, the inclusion of the Kurds in the political transition process and a guarantee of their rights and interests. France will continue its (…)

Updated: Tue Mar 11 2025

Bosnia-Herzegovina - Developments in Republika Srpska (10 Mar. 2025)

France is closely monitoring the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Following the verdict handed down against Mr. Milorad Dodik on February 26, France strongly condemns Republika Srpska's recent adoption of laws and decisions that clearly harm Bosnia-Herzegovina's constitutional order and undermine civil liberties. France reaffirms its support for Bosnia-Herzegovina's national institutions, noting that all concerned actors must ensure that they operate smoothly. We emphasize that the path to (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 10 2025

Fifth strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of the French Republic and the Republic of Korea (7 Mar. 2025)

M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, welcomed Mr Cho Tae-yul, his South Korean counterpart, to Paris on 7 March 2025 for the fifth France-South Korea strategic dialogue. The strategic dialogue made it possible to take a detailed look at the major international crises and situations. They talked about the recent developments in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Korean peninsula. They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 10 2025

Syria - Violence in the north west (8 Mar. 2025)

France expresses its deep concern about the serious violence that has occurred in Syria over the past few days in the Tartus, Latakia and Homs provinces. It utterly condemns the atrocities perpetrated against civilians because of their faith, and prisoners. It calls on Syria's interim authorities to ensure that independent investigations can shed full light on these crimes and that their perpetrators are sentenced. France reiterates its commitment to a peaceful, inclusive political (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 10 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the UK : Arab pl

We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom welcome the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza. Recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, which (…)

Updated: Sat Mar 08 2025

Ambassadors to the North Atlantic Council visit France’s Istres strategic air base (7 Mar. 2025)

On 6 March 2025, Ambassadors to the North Atlantic Council visited France's Istres strategic air base, alongside NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska. Participants received briefings on France's nuclear deterrent from Commanders of the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS), Strategic Oceanic Force (FOST) and Naval Nuclear Air Force (FANU). The visit's various steps showed the credibility of France's airborne component, and that of its nuclear deterrent as a whole, which is strategic (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 07 2025

Event dedicated to attracting international organisations to Paris Region (5 Mar. 2025)

On Tuesday 4 March, Laurent Saint Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, brought together international organisations operating in the Paris Region in the presence of Alexandra Dublanche, Vice-President of the Paris Region. The event was organised in partnership with Choose Paris Region, Paris-Île de France Capitale Économique, Business France and the Agence Française de Développement group. It was an opportunity to highlight the attractiveness of France, and (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 07 2025

International Women’s Day - France launches its international strategy for a feminist foreign policy (7 Mar. 2025)

On this International Women's Day, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed our priority focus on women's rights by launching the first international strategy for a feminist foreign policy (2025-2030). Developed through a participatory process involving more than 200 national and international partners, this strategy sets a clear and ambitious course to place women's rights and equality at the heart of our foreign policy and reaffirms its basic priorities: defending (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 07 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Gaza reconstruction plan adopted by the Arab League (6 Mar. 2025)

France hails the proposed Gaza reconstruction plan formulated by the Arab League countries at the Cairo summit on March 4. This plan offers a serious, credible basis for immediately meeting reconstruction, governance and security needs in the aftermath of the war in Gaza. It guarantees the respect of international law and maintains Gaza's future within the framework of a future Palestinian State. This plan must entirely exclude Hamas from the governance of Gaza, where it must be disarmed, (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 07 2025

Syria/Chemical weapons - Upcoming deployment of an OPCW technical team (6 Mar. 2025)

France thanks the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for its 10-plus years of tireless effort to shed light on the Bashar al-Assad regime's chemical program and the chemical attacks against the Syrian people for which he has been found responsible. France is pleased by the progress that has been made on this issue, which must have concrete implications. In line with President Macron's remarks during his conversation with the Interim President of the Transition (…)

Updated: Fri Mar 07 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Humanitarian access in Gaza (5 Mar. 2025)

We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom recall our continued support for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It is vital that the ceasefire is sustained, all the hostages are released, and continued flows of humanitarian aid to Gaza are ensured. We urge all parties to engage constructively in negotiating the subsequent phases of the deal to help ensure its full implementation and a permanent end to hostilities. We welcome Egyptian, Qatari and US efforts in (…)

Updated: Wed Mar 05 2025

Guyana - Situation off the coast of Essequibo (3 Mar. 2025)

France expresses its concern over the March 1st incursion by a Venezuelan Coast Guard patrol ship in Guyana's Exclusive Economic Zone near the Stabroak Block oil reservoir. France calls on Venezuela to respect Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the principles of international law and the order issued by the International Court of Justice on December 1, 2023, stating that it must refrain from any unilateral action liable to alter the situation that currently exists off the coast (…)

Updated: Mon Mar 03 2025