Foreign Affairs

Turkey - NATO - Q&A (19 May 2022)

Q: Turkish President [Recep] Tayyip Erdo?an said on 18 May that Ankara is not yet ready to support Sweden and Finland's admission into NATO. One of Turkey's main demands is for those countries to recognize the Kurdistan Workers' Party as a terrorist organization. How does France view the Turkish authorities' position regarding Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO? If Paris supports such a move by the Nordic countries, when do you think the differences can be overcome? A: In his communiqué of (...)

Updated: Fri May 20 2022

Ukraine - France mobilized to support Ukraine by caring for wounded and children with cancer (Paris, 20 May 2022)

As part of our support for Ukraine, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has conducted its 14th emergency humanitarian operation. The Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs chartered its first special medical flight today to airlift seven Ukrainian war-wounded and three Ukrainian children with cancer, accompanied by their caregivers, from Poland to France. Hospitals throughout France are standing by to treat these patients, whose care will be (...)

Updated: Fri May 20 2022

Biden Administration Approves First Operation Fly Formula Mission

Today, the Department of Defense (DOD) is sourcing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s request for Operation Fly Formula to transport Nestlé S.A. formula from Zurich, Switzerland to Plainfield, Indiana. DOD is actively working the request to identify commercial aircraft. The Operation Fly Formula shipments will transport the equivalent of up to 1.5 million 8-ounce...

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) and Section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE SUBJECT: Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) and Section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 621 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I hereby delegate...

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Rubydee Calvert, of Wyoming, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2028. (Reappointment) Kathryn Wheelbarger, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace for...

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

President Biden Announces Key Regional Appointments for USDA, EPA, and HHS

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden appointed the following individuals to serve in key regional leadership roles at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Joy Kono, USDA State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Hawaii Maria Herrera, USDA State Director, Rural Development, California...

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Andersson Of Sweden and President Niinist? of Finland

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and President Sauli Niinistö of Finland and warmly welcomed their applications for NATO membership, which will strengthen our collective security. At this historic moment for both Finland and Sweden, the President underscored his commitment to support both countries as they seek...

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

Remarks by First Lady Jill Biden in Ecuador

Carondelet PalaceQuito, Ecuador 2:21 P.M. ECT FIRST LADY BIDEN: Thank you, María de Lourdes, for that very kind introduction. Mr. President, Madam First Lady, María Mercedes, Foreign Minister Holguín, and Ambassador Baki, Ministers of State, and to you, the people of Ecuador: Here, at the center of the world, there is so much to fill...

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

Statement by President Joe Biden on Senate Passage of Ukraine Supplemental

I applaud the Congress for sending a clear bipartisan message to the world that the people of the United States stand together with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their democracy and freedom. The resources that I requested will allow us to send even more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, replenish our own stockpile, and support U.S. troops stationed on NATO territory....

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

Statement from President Biden on FTC Vote to Protect Children's Privacy

In the State of the Union I said that it is time to strengthen privacy protections, ban targeted advertising to children and demand tech companies stop collecting personal data on our children. I want to commend the Federal Trade Commission for unanimously taking a big step in that direction today. When children and parents access...

Updated: Thu May 19 2022

FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Address Infant Formula Shortage

During the infant formula shortage caused by Abbott Nutrition's voluntary recall, the President has directed his team to do everything possible to ensure that there is enough safe infant formula in the country and available for families that need it. Today, President Biden is announcing additional actions to get more formula into the United States...

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (17 May 2022)

On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, France reiterates its firm commitment to the universal decriminalization of homosexuality and the defense of the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. France stresses that the continued violence and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people are unacceptable. Moreover, we applaud once again the contributions of all those who take courageous action every day to protect these rights, often in difficult circumstances. (...)

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

JCPoA - Q&A (17 May 2022)

Q: Are you hopeful that the Vienna negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program will be able to resume in the very near future? What are the solutions proposed by Iran? R: The draft agreement on resuming compliance with the JCPoA has been ready for more than two months. That is why the E3 negotiators left Vienna - they were convinced that it could be finalized within a very short time. However, it is being held up by an issue between the United States and Iran that is not related to the (...)

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Lebanon - Legislative elections (17 May 2022)

Lebanon's legislative elections, which took place on Sunday, May 15, represent an important step forward for the country, which has been undergoing a serious crisis for over two years now. France commends Lebanon on holding these elections on schedule. We deplore the incidents and irregularities raised by the European Union Election Observation Mission and hope that they will be fully investigated. France encourages all the Lebanese authorities to proceed without delay with the designation (...)

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Letter from President Biden to Secretary Xavier Becerra and Secretary Thomas Vilsack on Addressing Infant Formula Shortage

Dear Secretary Becerra and Secretary Vilsack, The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have taken significant action over the last several months to boost the production and availability of infant formula after the voluntary recall and subsequent shutdown of one of the largest infant formula production...

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Libya - Violence in Tripoli (17 May 2022)

After yesterday's violence in Tripoli, France calls on all Libya's stakeholders to refrain from any violence and to respect the ceasefire agreement. It calls on Libya's stakeholders to commit to a genuine dialogue with a view to reaching a viable political solution which has to include the holding of transparent, impartial presidential and parliamentary elections throughout Libyan territory as soon as possible, in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the (...)

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Mali - Q&A (17 May 2022)

Q: Does Mali's withdrawal from the G5 Sahel signal the end of that organization, which was already barely functional? Also, do you have any information on the coup attempt reported by the junta yesterday? A: France takes note of the Malian transitional authorities' decision to withdraw Mali from the various bodies of the G5 Sahel, including its Joint Force. Like the EU, France regrets this decision, which undermines regional efforts to work together to combat terrorism and promote (...)

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under the Defense Production Act to Ensure an Adequate Supply of Infant Formula

Presidential Determination No. 2022-13 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SUBJECT: Delegating Authority Under the Defense Production Act to Ensure an Adequate Supply of Infant Formula By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 101 of the Defense Production...

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Readout from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Saudi Vice Minister o

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today in Washington with Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. They underscored the longstanding partnership between our two nations, as exemplified by the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Strategic Joint Planning Committee, which the Vice Minister is co-chairing this week at the Department of Defense. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden's commitment...

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Readout of President Biden call with President Guillermo Lasso of the Republic of Ecuador

President Biden spoke today with President Guillermo Lasso of the Republic of Ecuador to discuss their vision for the Americas ahead of the Summit of the Americas and the importance of the U.S.-Ecuador relationship. They discussed strengthening economic, security, and migration cooperation. President Biden and President Lasso also discussed COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery and...

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

President Biden called New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today to discuss the wildfires that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres across the State, resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands, and destroyed hundreds of homes. Governor Lujan Grisham underscored the impacts of the fires on New Mexico communities and the need for...

Updated: Wed May 18 2022

Readout of White House Roundtable with Nurses

Today, in recognition of Nurses Appreciation Week, the White House hosted a roundtable with nurses to thank them for their efforts on the frontlines of the pandemic, providing essential health care and ensuring patients receive the care they deserve. The roundtable, which was convened by White House Gender Policy Council Director Jennifer Klein, brought together nurses...

Updated: Wed May 18 2022