Foreign Affairs

Moldova - Conversation between M. Jean-Yves Le Drian and Mr Nicu Popescu, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke today to Mr Nicu Popescu, Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. The Minister expressed to his Moldovan counterpart his concern and vigilance about the incidents occurring in Transnistria over the past two days. Against this background he reiterated France's wholehearted support for the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova faced with the risks of (...)

Updated: Wed Apr 27 2022

President Biden Names Seventeenth Round of Judicial Nominees

The President is announcing five new federal judicial nominees, all 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 -...

Updated: Wed Apr 27 2022

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, April 27, 2022

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:07 P.M. EDT MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. Okay, I have no toppers today. Don't be so disappointed. And I know we have a hard out for some people to gather, so we will all keep you updated on when that needs to happen. But, Zeke, why don't you kick us off? Q ...

Updated: Wed Apr 27 2022

Remarks by President Biden at the Funeral of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Washington National CathedralWashington, D.C. 11:33 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Freedom endures against all odds in the face of every aggressor because there are always those who will fight for that freedom. And in the 20th and 21st century, freedom had no greater champion than Madeleine Korbel Albright. Anne, Alice, Katie - your mom was a force - a...

Updated: Wed Apr 27 2022

Turkey - France strongly deplores Osman Kavala's life sentence (26 Apr. 2022)

France strongly deplores the life sentence handed down against Osman Kavala by a Turkish court yesterday. This civil society activist has been jailed for more than four and a half years in violation of Turkey's international obligations. We call once again for Osman Kavala to be released immediately and for all charges against him to be dropped, in accordance with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on December 10, 2019. We expect Turkey to fully abide by its international (...)

Updated: Wed Apr 27 2022

UNESCO/World Heritage - Q&A (26 Apr. 2022)

Q: Russia, which is chairing UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, announced on April 21 that it was postponing the committee meeting that was supposed to be held in Kazan this June. Do you have any comment? A: This postponement comes at a time when we have been actively asking - since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine - to find a solution so that the World Heritage Committee would meet neither in Russia nor under Russian leadership at all. France wishes to underscore its commitment to (...)

Updated: Wed Apr 27 2022

United States - Conversation between M. Jean-Yves Le Drian and Mr Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State (27 Apr. 2022)

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke this afternoon to US Secretary of State Mr Antony Blinken. The two ministers discussed our close, confident coordination on the war in Ukraine. The Minister recalled the efforts made by France to support Ukraine in terms of defence equipment. The two ministers discussed possible initiatives for further sanctions targeting Russia, given its continued war of aggression against Ukraine. They talked about food security and (...)

Updated: Wed Apr 27 2022

Clemency Recipient List

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is granting clemency to 78 individuals, consisting of three pardons and 75 commutations. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is pardoning the following three individuals: Abraham W. Bolden, Sr. - Chicago, IllinoisAbraham Bolden is an 86-year-old former U.S. Secret Service agent and was the first African American to serve on...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Increases Access to COVID-19 Treatments and Boosts Patient and Provider Awareness

Driven by President Biden's comprehensive COVID-19 response, there are now more tools than ever before to protect people from the virus, including highly-effective treatments. Over the past 15 months, the Administration has pulled levers across the federal government and deployed resources Congress provided to expedite the development, production, and procurement of COVID-19 treatments. As a...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Expands Second Chance Opportunities for Formerly Incarcerated Persons

America must offer meaningful opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation to empower those who have been incarcerated to become productive, law-abiding, members of society, and reduce crime and make our communities safer. Leaders on both sides of the aisle recognize that second chance opportunities offer people who have made mistakes and served their time a path...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

Nomination Sent to the Senate

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE: Bridget A. Brink, of Michigan, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ukraine. ###

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

President Biden Announces Key Regional Appointments for HHS

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden appointed the following individuals to serve in key regional leadership roles at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Ala Stanford, HHS Regional Director, Region 3 Antrell Tyson, HHS Regional Director, Region 4 Janine Boyd, HHS Regional Director, Region 5 These regional appointees will be critical to the...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan call with South African National Security Advisor Sydney Mufamadi

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with South African National Security Advisor Sydney Mufamadi. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Mufamadi reaffirmed President Biden and President Ramaphosa's commitment to strengthen the U.S-South Africa bilateral relationship. Mr. Sullivan pledged support to the people and government of South Africa in response to the deadly floods in Kwa Zulu...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata of Israel

Following President Biden's fruitful conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Bennett on April 24, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today with his Israeli counterpart, National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata, to discuss a range of regional and global security issues. Mr. Sullivan emphasized that the United States is attuned to Israel's concerns about threats to...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

Statement by President Joe Biden on Clemency and Second Chance Month

America is a nation of laws and second chances, redemption, and rehabilitation. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect these core values that enable safer and stronger communities. During Second Chance Month, I am using...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

Statement from Press Secretary to the Vice President Kirsten Allen

Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the Vice President's residence. She has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules. She will follow CDC guidelines and...

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

Ukraine - Conversation between M. Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Ukrainian counterpart (25 Apr. 2022)

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart M. Dmytro Kuleba today. In this new discussion, the 12th this year between the two ministers, the Minister emphasized France's ongoing strategy in the Ukraine conflict and our determination to continue and deepen France's support to Ukraine in every sphere. In this respect, the Minister talked about the recent decisions taken by President Macron concerning the supply of defence equipment to the (...)

Updated: Tue Apr 26 2022

Afghanistan - Terrorist attacks (22 Apr. 2022)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks of April 19 and 21 on schools in Kabul as well as yesterday's attacks on the Seh Dokan mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif and in Kunduz province. These attacks, for which Daesh (IS-K) claimed responsibility, killed several dozen people and wounded more than a hundred, including young children. France offers its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of these despicable acts. It wishes the wounded a speedy (...)

Updated: Mon Apr 25 2022