Foreign Affairs

Tunisia - Conversation between Catherine Colonna and her counterpart (21 Jul.22)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna spoke yesterday with her Tunisian counterpart, Othman Jerandi. She reiterated France's support for Tunisia and the Tunisian people amid the economic and social challenges the country is facing. She hailed the constructive dialogue between Tunisian authorities and teams from the International Monetary Fund in Tunisia over the past few days. She called on the Tunisian government to continue its efforts to reach an agreement with the (...)

Updated: Fri Jul 22 2022

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Launches Effort to Create More Affordable and Equitable Outdoor Recreation Opportunit

As part of the President's America the Beautiful Initiative, the Biden-Harris Administration today launched an interagency effort, called the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR), that will work to create more safe, affordable, and equitable opportunities for Americans to get outdoors. The FICOR - which includes leaders from the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture,...

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

ICAO - Belarus - Council decision on the Belarusian authorities' diversion of a commercial flight in 2021 (18 Jul. 2022)

On July 18, following the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) investigation into the diversion of Ryanair Flight FR4978 to Minsk on May 23, 2021, the ICAO Council acknowledged that the Belarusian authorities were responsible for the false bomb threat, which endangered the flight's passengers and crew. The Council condemned the Belarusian authorities' violation of both the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) and the Convention for the Suppression of (...)

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

Iraq - France strongly condemns the indiscriminate strike that took place yesterday in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdist

France strongly condemns the indiscriminate strike that took place yesterday in a recreation area in the village of Parakh in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, leaving many wounded and several dead, including children. France offers its condolences to the families of the victims and to the Iraqi people and stands in solidarity with those who were wounded. France encourages the Iraqi authorities to continue their efforts to shed light on the exact circumstances of this tragedy. (...)

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency...

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

Nominations Sent to the Senate

Shailen P. Bhatt, of Michigan, to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, vice Nicole R. Nason. Jeffrey Matthew Marootian, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), vice Daniel Simmons. Stephen A. Owens, of Arizona, to be Chairperson of the Chemical Safety...

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations.

On July 24, 2011, by Executive Order 13581, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by significant transnational criminal organizations. On March...

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

President Biden Announces Key Nominees

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following leaders to serve as key leaders in his administration: Shailen P. Bhatt, Nominee for Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Jeff Marootian, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy Stephen A....

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

Remarks By Vice President Harris On The Affordable Connectivity Program

Carole Hoefener CenterCharlotte, North Carolina 1:32 P.M. EDT THE VICE PRESIDENT: All right! Can we hear it for Ms. Tiffany? (Applause.) Well, good afternoon, Charlotte. It's so good to be back. Good afternoon. You know, Ms. Tiffany and I were talking in the back, and I said, you know, "The President" - who I'm going to...

Updated: Thu Jul 21 2022

Background Press Call on the President's Actions to Tackle the Climate Crisis

Via Teleconference 11:01 A.M. EDT MR. HASAN: Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. This is Abdullah from the White House. Today, we'll be holding a background briefing on the actions the President will announce while in Somerset, Massachusetts, to tackle the climate crisis and seize the opportunity of a clean energy future. As a...

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Invests in Summer Learning and Enrichment Programs to Help Students Catch Up

First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Embark on a Multi-State Summer Learning Tour Summer learning and enrichment programs can play a critical role in student success. From providing students opportunities to catch up academically from what they may have missed during the pandemic to providing channels for students to engage with...

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

IEA / Russia - Q&A (19 Jul. 2022)

Q: The International Energy Agency estimated that Russia has nearly doubled its revenues from oil and gas exports to Europe since the invasion of Ukraine. They now amount to $95 billion. How do you explain the failure of the sanctions, for the time being? Doesn't it call into question the energy sanctions mechanism or call for a revision? A: EU sanctions against Russia aim to drastically reduce the sources of financing for its war of aggression against Ukraine in order to raise the cost of (...)

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

Iran - Q&A (19 Jul. 2022)

Q: U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he is ready to use force as a "last resort" to prevent Iran from obtaining atomic weapons. Does France share that position? Last week, Catherine Colonna mentioned a "window of opportunity" of a few weeks for Tehran to reach an agreement. What is the deadline? A: I refer you to the statements that Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna made before the Senate (...)

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

Israel / Palestinian Territories - Q&A (19 Jul. 2022)

Q: The Palestinian foreign minister indicated last week that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas would be in Paris today and tomorrow to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Can you confirm this visit? Is a meeting scheduled with Catherine Colonna? A: We refer you to the Elysée for this question.

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

North Macedonia / Albania - Q&A (19 Jul. 2022)

Q: On Tuesday, the EU started membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. What is France's reaction? A: France welcomes the holding of intergovernmental meetings in Brussels today with North Macedonia and Albania. Laurence Boone, Minister of State for Europe, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will be a participant. These meetings begin a historic phase in the EU membership process for (...)

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

Remarks by President Biden After Air Force One Arrival

Joint Base AndrewsPrince George's County, Maryland 5:19 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming up. That's going to be a cool plant. Q Mr. President, you talked a lot about climate being an emergency today. Why not just declare it an emergency? THE PRESIDENT: Because I'm running into traps on the totality of...

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

Remarks by President Biden on Actions to Tackle the Climate Crisis

Brayton Point Power StationSomerset, Massachusetts 2:43 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. And thank you for your patience. You've been sitting out here. Appreciate - please, have a seat, if you have one. Well, hello, Massachusetts. (Applause.) It's an honor to be with your outstanding members of Congress today:...

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

Remarks by Vice President Harris to the 2022 U.S.-Africa Business Summit

Via Recorded Video As Prepared for Delivery Greetings from Washington, D.C. I want to thank the Corporate Council on Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco, and His Majesty King Mohammed for hosting the 2022 U.S.-Africa Business Summit. I am honored to participate in this opening ceremony. President Joe Biden and I recognize the critical importance of...

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022

Situation of Jafar Panahi - Q&A (19 Jul. 2022)

Q: Iranian judicial authorities just announced that dissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who was arrested last week in Tehran, will have to serve a six-year sentence in accordance with a verdict handed down in 2010. What is France's reaction? Are you calling for his immediate release? A: France reiterates its demand for Jafar Panahi's immediate release, as it did following his arbitrary arrest. We reaffirm our deep concern over the growing number of arrests of Iranian figures engaged (...)

Updated: Wed Jul 20 2022