Foreign Affairs

United Nations/Environment - France’s ratification of the UN agreement on marine biodiversity (5 Feb. 2025)

On 5 February, France deposited with the United Nations Secretary-General its ratification instrument for the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement. This deposit completes the ratification process, following Parliament's unanimous adoption of the bill presented by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, (…)

Updated: Wed Feb 05 2025

UN - Appointment of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya and head of the UN Support Mission in Li

France congratulates Hanna Tetteh on her appointment as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya. We assure her of our full support for her new position as the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). France encourages UNSMIL to pursue its mandate and continue its mediation efforts in order to ensure political unity in Libya. The revival of the political process led by and for Libyans is vital to the formation of a new unified government (…)

Updated: Tue Feb 04 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Release of Ofer Kalderon (1 Feb. 2025)

It was with great relief and emotion that we learned that our compatriot Ofer Kalderon has been released as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. We welcome the news that he has regained his freedom after more than 15 months of heinous captivity. We share in the joy of his friends and family, with whom the President of the French Republic spoke on 18 January and the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs met on 7 November in Tel Aviv, along with the Yahalomi (…)

Updated: Sat Feb 01 2025

E3 Foreign ministers’ statement on the implementation of legislation against United Nations Relief and Works Agency for

We, the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany reiterate our grave concern regarding the Government of Israel's implementation of legislation forbidding any contact between Israeli state entities, officials and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East [UNRWA]; and prohibiting any UNRWA presence within Israel and East Jerusalem. We ask the Government of Israel to abide by its international obligations and live up to its (…)

Updated: Fri Jan 31 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - France’s contribution to the European EUBAM Rafah mission (31 Jan. 2025)

In a show of support for the ceasefire, this morning France deployed three gendarmes specialized in border policing to serve with the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah). The Mission has about 20 staffers, mostly Italian and Spanish. The teams will act as trusted third parties at the Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt; they will also reinforce Palestinian Authority personnel at the crossing point, as several hundred civilians prepare (…)

Updated: Fri Jan 31 2025

United States - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (31 Jan. 2025)

How do you respond to Marco Rubio's remarks accusing France of not spending enough on defense? Q: How do you respond to Marco Rubio's remarks accusing France of not spending enough on defense? A: Since 2017, President Macron has worked to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy. The new geopolitical configuration is an opportunity for Europe to assert itself as the strategic power that it is. That was the strong message contained in the speech the President gave at the Sorbonne on April 25, (…)

Updated: Fri Jan 31 2025

Haiti - Conversation between M. Jean-Noël Barrot and his Haitian counterpart, Mr Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste (29 Ja

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke today to his Haitian counterpart, Mr Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship. The two ministers reviewed the situation in Haiti. The [French] Minister reaffirmed France's support for the transitional authorities and for a restoration of the country's security that must lead to the organization of safe and free elections. France feels solidarity with Haitian victims of the violence (…)

Updated: Thu Jan 30 2025

United States - Mid-air collision (30 Jan. 2025)

France expresses its deep sadness following the collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter just outside of Washington, DC, on the night of January 29. The crash left several dozen dead. France offers its heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and loved ones, and expresses its solidarity with the American people and authorities.

Updated: Thu Jan 30 2025

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Situation of the French Embassy (28 Jan. 2025)

France utterly condemns today's attack on its Embassy and other diplomatic missions by protesters in Kinshasa. It urgently calls on the Congolese authorities to ensure the integrity and security of all diplomatic missions on its territory, which is their responsibility and obligation under international law. France is doing all it can to guarantee the safety of its staff and French nationals in the (…)

Updated: Tue Jan 28 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (28 Jan. 2025)

Q: What is France's position on U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statements on moving Palestinians to Egypt and neighboring countries? A: France's position has not changed: any forced displacement of Gaza's population would be unacceptable. It would not only be a serious violation of international law, but also a major obstacle to the two-state solution and a destabilizing factor for our close partners, Egypt and Jordan. Gaza's future lies with a future Palestinian (…)

Updated: Tue Jan 28 2025

United States - Conversation between the Minister and his American counterpart, Marco Rubio (28 Jan. 2025)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke by phone with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, on January 27. During their conversation, the minister congratulated the Secretary of State on his unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate. With the new U.S. administration just taking up its duties, this call gave the ministers a chance to reaffirm their commitment to transatlantic ties and to the strong historic ties between France and the United States. The Minister and (…)

Updated: Tue Jan 28 2025

International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust (27 Jan. 2025)

On this international day dedicated to the remembrance of genocides and the prevention of crimes against humanity, France commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau 80 years ago and remembers the victims of the Holocaust. President Macron, accompanied by Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad, will take part in the ceremonies. On January 27, 1945, the world discovered the horror of the genocide carried out by the Nazis and their allies. To make sure the world never forgets the (…)

Updated: Mon Jan 27 2025

Lebanon - Extension of the ceasefire (27 Jan. 2025)

France is working with its partners to implement the ceasefire in Lebanon. The deadline for the total Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon was extended until February 18. France urges the parties to fulfill their commitments as swiftly as possible so that Lebanon can regain sovereignty over all of its territory. We express our deep concern over the events that took place on January 26, in which 22 Lebanese citizens were killed in Israeli operations on Lebanese territory. We urgently (…)

Updated: Mon Jan 27 2025

Spain - Meeting between the Minister and his counterpart, José Manuel Albares Bueno (25 Jan. 2025)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke to his Spanish counterpart, Mr José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, at a working lunch in Paris on Friday 24 January. After France and Spain celebrated the second anniversary of the signing of the Barcelona Treaty on 19 January, the two ministers discussed the exceptionally intense bilateral relationship, particularly in terms of the economy, culture and people-to-people (…)

Updated: Mon Jan 27 2025

Yemen - Arrest of United Nations staff (25 Jan. 2025)

France firmly condemns the new wave of arbitrary arrests of United Nations staff in Yemen by the Houthis. It demands the immediate, unconditional release of all staff from the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and diplomatic missions who have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. These detentions are undermining the implementation of the aid the Yemeni people need and thus helping to aggravate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. France reaffirms its full support for the (…)

Updated: Mon Jan 27 2025

Belarus - Presidential Election on January 26 (25 Jan. 2025)

France will be closely monitoring the presidential election to be held on January 26 in Belarus. On the basis of all the information at its disposal, France believes that this election will not meet democratic standards. The unprecedented level of repression, human rights violations, restrictions on participation in political life, and limited access to independent media deprive this election of any legitimacy. France regrets that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human (…)

Updated: Sat Jan 25 2025

International Day of Education (24.01.25)

On this International Day of Education, France renews its commitment to a lifelong quality education that is both inclusive and equitable. In keeping with our new international strategy on basic education (2024-2028), we are working with our partners to ensure that education has a prominent place on the international agenda. With 250 million children worldwide still deprived of schooling, Minister Delegate for Franophonie and International Partnerships Thani Mohamed-Soilihi welcomed those (…)

Updated: Fri Jan 24 2025

Lebanon - Incident involving UNIFIL peacekeepers (23.01.25)

France condemns the January 22nd incident in which peacekeepers were physically injured following an explosion near a UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) patrol in an area where Israeli armed forces were operating. Three Finnish peacekeepers were injured. A number of peacekeepers had already been injured since October 2024. The protection of peacekeepers and the safety and security of UN personnel, property and premises must be guaranteed. UNIFIL must be able to fully carry (…)

Updated: Fri Jan 24 2025

National Anti-Sexism Day (25.01.25)

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is mobilizing its efforts on this second National Anti-Sexism Day to repudiate and raise awareness about sexism. This day of observance was established last year and will be held annually on January 25. Events marking the occasion will be held in France and throughout our diplomatic and consular network. Combating sexism is one of the commitments included in the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' new 2024-2026 action plan promoting gender (…)

Updated: Fri Jan 24 2025

Bahrain - Conversation between M. Jean-Noel Barrot and his counterpart, Mr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani (23 Jan. 2025)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke on the telephone to his Bahraini counterpart, Mr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, today, Tuesday 21 January 2025. The ministers welcomed the excellent bilateral relationship between France and Bahrain, which is filled with prospects of cooperation in every field, and signalled their shared desire to strengthen this partnership, particularly in the framework of the high-level bilateral committee. The ministers discussed (…)

Updated: Thu Jan 23 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Escalating tensions in the West Bank (22 Jan. 2025)

With a ceasefire just having been concluded in Gaza, France expresses its strong concerns about growing security tensions in the West Bank. Settlement activity is speeding up and violence by extremist settlers is increasing, fuelling instability. On the night of 20 to 21 January 2025, fresh attacks targeted several Palestinian localities, wounding several people. France is very concerned about the launch of the Israeli operation in Jenin and calls on the Israeli authorities to show (…)

Updated: Thu Jan 23 2025

Russia’s continued attempts to manipulate the information environment (23 Jan. 2025)

The EEAS, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden denounce Russia's continued and systematic attempts to manipulate and interfere in the information space of democratic societies. Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) operations against the European Union and our partners aim to destabilise our societies, sow mistrust in our institutions, and undermine international and public support for Ukraine. We will not (…)

Updated: Thu Jan 23 2025

Venezuela - Reciprocal measures for diplomatic personnel (22.01.25)

On January 20, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs instructed the Venezuelan Embassy in Paris to proceed with the reduction of its diplomatic personnel and gave the concerned employees five days to leave the country. This decision is a reciprocal measure following the Venezuelan authorities' January 14th decision ordering the reduction of our diplomatic staff in Caracas on grounds that we categorically (…)

Updated: Wed Jan 22 2025

Côte d’Ivoire - Meeting between M. Jean-Noël Barrot and his counterpart, Mr Kacou Houadja Léon Adom (20 Jan. 2025)

M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with his counterpart Kacou Houadja Léon Adom, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, at the Quai d'Orsay on Monday 20 January 2025. During their fruitful and friendly discussions, the two ministers welcomed the excellent Franco-Ivorian bilateral partnership. They hailed the strength of bilateral trade and reviewed the mutually-supportive investment projects being implemented (…)

Updated: Tue Jan 21 2025

Executive Order on the Partial Revocation of Executive Order 13961

<p>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1.  Revocation.  Sections 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of Executive Order 13961 of December&#8230;</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/01/19/executive-order-on-the-partial-revocation-of-executive-order-13961/">Executive Order on the Partial Revocation of Executive Order 13961</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov">The White House</a>.</p>

Updated: Mon Jan 20 2025