Foreign Affairs

Russia - France troubled by lawsuit against Memorial (19 november 2021)

We are deeply troubled by the announcement of a lawsuit filed by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office aimed at dissolving the civil society organization Memorial in this 100th anniversary year of the birth of its founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov. We are closely monitoring developments in this lawsuit. It is essential to preserve this organization, which is unparalleled in its scope and in its effort to promote historical research into the tragedies of the past, access (...)

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the U.S. Approach to Strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention

COVID-19 was a wake-up call for humanity. It revealed the devastating impact of infectious disease on our health and our societies. It also uncovered our shared vulnerability to catastrophic biological events and the lost lives, economic downturn, and global destabilization that they can cause. As we work to end the COVID-19 pandemic, we must simultaneously...

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger's Travel to Japan

From November 15-17, Deputy National Security Advisory for Cyber and Emerging Technologies Anne Neuberger traveled to Japan to continue the Biden-Harris Administration's coordination with international partners to advance cybersecurity, promote responsible state behavior in cyberspace, and chart a 21st century course for cybersecurity and emerging technology. The United States and Japan are committed to deepening our Alliance and to fulfilling its...

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Ibrahim Kalin, Spokesperson

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone today with Ibrahim Kalin, Spokesperson and Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey. They discussed next steps in U.S.-Turkey bilateral engagements following the meeting between President Biden and President Erdogan in Rome on October 31. They exchanged views on a range of regional issues, including developments in Ukraine,...

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

Statement by President Biden

While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken. I ran on a promise to bring Americans together, because I believe that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. I know that we're not going to heal our country's...

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

Statement of President Joe Biden on the Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Birth

Jill and I extend our warmest wishes to the Sikh community on the 552nd anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. Guru Nanak's visionary message of equality, peace, and service is as important today as it was five centuries ago. His teachings emphasize the dignity and equal...

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

FACT SHEET: President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Advances Economic and Public Health Opportunities for Tribal Comm

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("Bipartisan Infrastructure Law") is a once-in-a-generation investment in our infrastructure and economic 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 President put...

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Belarus (18 Nov. 2021)

G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Belarus 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, condemn the Belarus regime's orchestration of irregular migration across its borders. These callous acts are putting peoples' lives at risk. We are united in our solidarity with Poland, as well as Lithuania and Latvia, who have been targeted by this provocative use of irregular (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

Iran - Arrest of Narges Mohammadi (Nov. 18, 2021)

France condemns the arrest of Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi on November 16 and calls for her release. The spokesperson for the Defenders of Human Rights Center established by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, Narges Mohammadi is a prominent defender of fundamental liberties in Iran. Her activities, particularly in support of abolishing the death penalty and combating violence against women, have already earned her several unacceptable sentences to prison and (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

Iran - Q&A (Nov. 18, 2021)

Q: Your repeated calls for Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) without delay have not had an impact. To the contrary, yesterday the IAEA issued a report on Iran's activities, including the agency's growing inability to monitor that country's nuclear activities, including those at the Karaj facility. Do you believe it is necessary to push for a resolution to send a message to Iran during the Board of Governors meeting next week, or are you afraid that a (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada Before Bilateral Meeting

Oval Office 1:49 P.M. EST PRESIDENT BIDEN: You guys all have health insurance, right? In case you get injured. Q Yes, sir. PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU: Half of them are Canadian, so they definitely have - have health coverage. PRESIDENT BIDEN: All right. Well, it's great to welcome back the Prime Minister, who we've been good friends for a while,...

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

Remarks by President Biden on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

General Motors' Factory ZERODetroit, Michigan 5:18 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Detroit. (Applause.) It's great to be back. Before I begin, I just want to mention three pieces of good news today. First, two of the leading rating agencies on Wall Street confirmed today - not a liberal think tank, two Wall Street outfits -...

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

Russia - Q&A - (18 Nov. 2021)

Q: Do you have any comment on Russia's publication of confidential notes by Ministers Le Drian and Haas on efforts to relaunch the Normandy Format? A: We are cognizant of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's decision to make our correspondence public. We consider this a breach of diplomatic rules and customs. Germany and France have been working for months on the continuation of negotiations and the implementation of a concrete agenda to foster peace on the basis of the Minsk Agreement, making (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18-24 November 2021)

France promotes responsible use of antibiotics as part of a holistic approach to global health, addressing human, animal and environmental health: the One Health approach. The harmful effects of excessive antibiotic use are one of the 10 most serious threats to global health identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). To fight this major issue, France is committed to promoting essential interministerial positions on controlling antimicrobial resistance at European and international (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 18 2021

A Proclamation on Antibiotic Awareness Week, 2021

Antibiotic Awareness Week is an occasion to celebrate the miracles of science and medicine that improve and sustain our lives, including innovations in antibiotics that have transformed the treatment of illness. Antibiotics save lives, kill bacteria that cause infections, and make it possible for many modern health care practices - including cancer treatments or surgery...

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

A Proclamation on National Rural Health Day, 2021

America's rural communities feed and fuel our country, steward our precious lands, and are home to 1 out of every 5 Americans. As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and make the investments we need to build back better, we must ensure that our recovery includes and strengthens our Nation's rural communities. On National...

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

Deterioration of the security situation at several sections of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan (16 November 2021)

France expresses its strong concern regarding the deterioration in the security situation at several sections of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the alleged use of heavy weapons, which have caused many casualties, particularly on the Armenian side. It calls on the parties to observe the ceasefire to which they committed themselves at the end of the trilateral declaration of 9 November 2020. France, Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, recalls the statement by the Co-Chairs on 15 (...)

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

Finland - Clément Beaune's visit (Nov. 16, 2021)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is traveling to Helsinki today. He will meet with Tytti Tuppurainen, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering; Satu Hassi, member of Parliament; and Juho Romakkaniemi, chief executive of Finland Chamber of Commerce. These meetings will focus on the challenges facing the French presidency of the Council of the European Union, beginning on January 1, 2022, and (...)

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Laura Farnsworth Dogu, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Honduras. Michael F. Gerber, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Federal...

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

President Biden Names Tenth Round of Judicial Nominees

The President is announcing two new judicial nominees, both of whom are extraordinarily qualified, experienced, and devoted to the rule of law and our Constitution. These choices also continue to fulfill the President's promise to ensure that the nation's courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country - both in...

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

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

11:04 A.M. EST MR. ZIENTS: Good morning, everyone. And thanks for joining us. I'll turn to the doctors in a moment. First, I want to share an update on the progress we're making on vaccinations both here in the United States and around the world. I'll start with our vaccinations program for kids ages 5...

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Chris Meagher En Route Detroit, Michigan

Aboard Air Force OneEn Route Detroit, Michigan 1:55 P.M. EST MR. MEAGHER: All right. So, we have a couple things at the top here. First, on COVID, an important update on our progress in vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds: By the end of today, 2.6 million children are on their way to being protected from COVID-19. That's approximately...

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

Readout of Interagency Task Force Meeting on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE)

Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice convened a meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE). The Task Force, which was created by President Biden in June, consists of senior leaders from the Cabinet and independent agencies within the...

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021