Foreign Affairs

Mexico - Opening of a French Consulate General in Monterrey (20 October 2021)

France is opening a consulate general in Monterrey, Mexico, today. It will serve our fellow citizens and expand France's economic and cultural presence in three very dynamic northern Mexican states: Nuevo León, Coahuila and Tamaulipas. The Consulate General of France in Monterrey will host an office of the French Institute for Latin America (IFAL), a Campus France space, and a branch of the Franco-Mexican Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will work to strengthen university cooperation, (...)

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

Nomination Sent to the Senate

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE: James C. O'Brien, of Nebraska, to be Head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination, with the rank of Ambassador. (New Position) # # #

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

North Korea - Ballistic missile launch (19 October 2021)

France was deeply concerned to learn that North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile yesterday. France has condemned North Korea's repeated launches in recent weeks which undermine both regional and international peace and security. France once again urges North Korea to abide by UN Security Council resolutions and to engage in a process of total, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization. The Security Council will meet today to discuss this (...)

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, October 19, 2021

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:07 P.M. EDT MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. All right, a couple of items for all of you at the top. With the pandemic taking a toll on so many young people, today we released a comprehensive overview of actions in the administration that we're taking to improve access and care...

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

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

Via Teleconference 8:48 A.M. EDT MR. ZIENTS: Good morning, and thanks for joining us. Today, I'll first turn to Drs. Walensky and Fauci to cover the state of the pandemic and the importance of vaccinations. Then, Dr. Murthy and I will provide an update on the work we're doing to prepare for potential vaccinations for...

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki En Route Avoca, PA

Aboard Air Force OneEn Route Avoca, Pennsylvania 3:57 P.M. EDT MS. PSAKI: Good afternoon. Thanks for joining our trip to Scranton. Just a few details about today: As you may have seen, Senator Bob Casey is joining us on the flight to Scranton. And throughout the day, the President will also spend time with Governor Tom Wolf,...

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with The Elders

National Security Advisor Sullivan met today with representatives of The Elders, an organization of prominent former world leaders founded in 2007 by former President Nelson Mandela. They discussed the importance of U.S. leadership in addressing threats to peace and security, including tackling the climate crisis, advancing nuclear arms control, ending the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening...

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

Statement by President Joe Biden on Protecting the Sacred Right to Vote

The United States Senate needs to act to protect the sacred constitutional right to vote, which is under unrelenting assault by proponents of the Big Lie and Republican Governors, Secretaries of State, Attorneys-General, and state legislatures across the nation. It is urgent. Democracy - the very soul of America - is at stake. Today, Senate Democrats would like to start debate on the Freedom to Vote Act. Senate Democrats have worked hard to ensure this bill includes...

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the President's Meetings with Members of Congress

After a day of constructive meetings, the President is more confident this evening about the path forward to delivering for the American people on strong, sustained economic growth that benefits everyone. The discussions focused around a shared commitment to the care economy, ensuring working families have more breathing room, addressing the climate crisis, and investing...

Updated: Wed Oct 20 2021

Belarus - Q&A - (19 October 2021)

Q: According to media reports, Belarus-born detainee Sergey Saveliev, who allegedly released a video showing rape and torture in a Russian prison, requested asylum in France. Can you confirm that? A: No comment.

Updated: Tue Oct 19 2021

EU - Clément Beaune at the General Affairs Council (Luxembourg, 19 October 2021)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is participating in today's General Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The following subjects will be discussed there: Preparations for the European Council meeting of October 21 and 22: The ministers will examine the major issues appearing on the agenda of the heads of State and Government on Thursday and Friday. They will review mechanisms to combat the pandemic in Europe and (...)

Updated: Tue Oct 19 2021

Japan - Consultations between political directors from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Ar

Philippe Errera, Director-General for Political Affairs and Security at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Alice Guitton, Director-General for International Relations and Strategy at the Ministry of the Armed Forces, held consultations on October 19 in Tokyo with their Japanese counterparts: Masataka Okano, Deputy Minister for Foreign Policy, and Yasushi Noguchi, Director-General for International Affairs at the Ministry of Defense. The last meeting in this format had been (...)

Updated: Tue Oct 19 2021

Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Mari Carmen Aponte, of Puerto Rico, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Panama. Joseph Donnelly, of Indiana, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See. Douglas T. Hickey, of...

Updated: Tue Oct 19 2021

Russia - NATO - Q&A - (19 October 2021)

Q: Russia is going to suspend its mission to NATO and NATO's mission to Moscow in response to the Alliance's expulsion of eight Russians. What is France's reaction? A: We regret the Russian Federation's unjustified decision to suspend its permanent mission to NATO and to end the activities of NATO's Military Liaison Mission and Information Mission in Russia as of November 1. Since 2014, France has continuously championed the need to maintain channels of dialogue between NATO and Russia, (...)

Updated: Tue Oct 19 2021