Foreign Affairs

EU - Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels, 21 Mar. 2022)

Today, March 21, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs is attending the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which brings together the EU's foreign ministers. It will be followed by a joint meeting with EU defense ministers. The ministers will review the situation in Ukraine in light of the commitments taken by the heads of State and government in Versailles on March 10 and 11, and ahead of the European Council meeting of March 24 and 25. The French Foreign Minister will highlight the urgent (...)

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

European Humanitarian Forum (Brussels, 21-23 Mar. 2022)

The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission are co-organizing a three-day conference to discuss the main humanitarian challenges and means of responding to them. Organization of the very first European Humanitarian Forum The first European Humanitarian Forum will take place in Brussels from Monday, 21 to Wednesday, 23 March 2022, in a hybrid format, so online participation and engagement will be possible in most events. It will bring together (...)

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

FACT SHEET: Act Now to Protect Against Potential Cyberattacks

The Biden-Harris Administration has warned repeatedly about the potential for Russia to engage in malicious cyber activity against the United States in response to the unprecedented economic sanctions we have imposed. There is now evolving intelligence that Russia may be exploring options for potential cyberattacks. The Administration has prioritized strengthening cybersecurity defenses to prepare our...

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Jerusalem - Q&A - (21 Mar. 2022)

Q: Do you have any comment on the rise in tensions seen in recent days in Jerusalem? A: France is closely monitoring developments in the situation in Jerusalem and calls on all parties to avoid any unilateral action liable to exacerbate tensions. France reiterates that only the two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, will make it possible to achieve a just and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict within the framework of international law and (...)

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Luis Manuel Botello, of Maryland, to be a Member of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board for a term expiring January 1, 2025. (New Position) Kenneth M. Jarin, of Pennsylvania, to be Chair of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. (New Position) Kenneth M. Jarin, of Pennsylvania, to be a...

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Draghi of

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. The leaders discussed their serious concerns about Russia's brutal tactics in Ukraine, including its attacks on civilians. They underscored their continued support for Ukraine, including by providing security assistance to...

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Readout of the Administration's Briefing of CEOs on Russia's War against Ukraine

Today, Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond, and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese met with 16 CEOs of major companies across several industries including energy, food, and manufacturing to provide a briefing on the latest developments on Putin's unprovoked and unjustified...

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Saudi Arabia - France condemns attacks on Saudi territory (21 Mar. 2022)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the multiple drone and missile attacks carried out by the Houthis on March 19 and 20 against vital infrastructure in southwestern and western Saudi Arabia. These attacks, which threaten Saudi security and regional stability, must end immediately. They illustrate the severity of the threat that the proliferation of drones and missiles represents to the entire region and the need to respond to it through a regional political dialogue. France (...)

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Statement by President Biden on our Nation's Cybersecurity

This is a critical moment to accelerate our work to improve domestic cybersecurity and bolster our national resilience. I have previously warned about the potential that Russia could conduct malicious cyber activity against the United States, including as a response to the unprecedented economic costs we've imposed on Russia alongside our allies and partners. It's...

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on President Biden's Travel to Poland

This week, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Poland following his meetings in Brussels, Belgium with our NATO Allies, G7 Leaders, and European Union Leaders to discuss international efforts to support Ukraine and impose severe and unprecedented costs on Russia for its invasion. On Friday, March 25, President Biden will travel to Warsaw, Poland, where he will hold a...

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Upcoming election for post of Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO): Muriel Pénicaud of France ente

On 25 March 2022, the 344th session of the ILO Governing Body will elect the next Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The candidate supported by the European Union and its Member States is Muriel Pénicaud, former French Minister of Labour. "Ms Pénicaud brings wide experience in four key areas that we consider crucial for the position of Director General of ILO,' states Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, Head of the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva. ?She has worked in the (...)

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Western Sahara - Q&A - (21 Mar. 2022)

Q: Last week, Spain announced that it was changing its position on the dispute between Morocco and the Sahrawis of the Polisario Front. Like Paris, Madrid now supports Morocco's idea of autonomy for the territory of Western Sahara. How do you view this change? Did Spain consult with France on this issue? At the same time, tensions have arisen between Spain and Algeria. Do you think there's a danger that this will have an effect on Europe's gas supply at such a delicate moment, as far as this (...)

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

World Water Forum in Dakar: meeting the water and sanitation challenges of the 21st century (from 21 to 26 Mar. 2022)

From 21 to 26 March 2022, Senegal is organizing the 9th World Water Forum, with the theme of "Water security for peace and development". France is convinced that water is the key to achieving the balance of all our ecosystems and societies, and is taking part in this major meeting for the 21st century. As the world's largest international event on freshwater issues, the World Water Forum has been organized every three years since 1997 by the World Water Council, based in Marseille. It brings (...)

Updated: Mon Mar 21 2022

Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Houthi Attack Against Saudi Arabia

We condemn the Houthi attacks over the last 48 hours against civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. These attacks reportedly targeted water treatment facilities as well as oil and natural gas infrastructure. The Houthis launch these terrorist attacks with enabling by Iran, which supplies them with missile and UAV components, training, and expertise. This is done...

Updated: Sun Mar 20 2022

Statement by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden Marking Nowruz

Jill and I extend our best wishes to all who are celebrating Nowruz in the United States and around the world today - including in Iran and across the Middle East, in Central and South Asia, in the Caucuses, and in Europe. The Nowruz holiday brings family and friends together around the table to give...

Updated: Sun Mar 20 2022

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 18, 2022

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:25 P.M. EDT MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. There's a lot of pink in this room today. (Laughter.) Zeke - Zeke and Mary are going to the prom together. (Laughter.) Well, you know. Okay, just one item for all of you at the top. On Monday, the President will join...

Updated: Sat Mar 19 2022

Readout of Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall's Visit to France

During the week of March 14, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall led an interagency delegation to Paris, France, with representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the National Security Council. They met with the Chief of the Military Staff of the President of the Republic Admiral Jean-Philippe Rolland...

Updated: Sat Mar 19 2022

Readout of Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall's visit to Kosovo

During the week of March 14, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall led a U.S.?delegation to Pristina, Kosovo. During the visit, Dr. Sherwood-Randall met with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti and visited Camp Liya and Camp Bondsteel. Dr. Sherwood-Randall reiterated the United States' steadfast commitment to Kosovo's sovereignty,...

Updated: Sat Mar 19 2022

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Passing of Congressman Don Young

I knew Don Young for a long time. He always stayed true to who he was and the people of Alaska he represented. Tough. Loyal. A consensus builder. He was larger than life, but always focused on Alaskans' everyday lives. As Dean of the House, he was the longest-serving House Republican in history-but cherished photos of...

Updated: Sat Mar 19 2022

Indonesia (18 Mar.2022)

As part of our stepped-up strategic partnership, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi spoke yesterday about the war in Ukraine and the G20, whose presidency is held by Indonesia. France emphasized the repercussions of the invasive war in Ukraine, especially in humanitarian terms. France and Indonesia agreed that a ceasefire, an end to the violence, the start of negotiations and humanitarian access are priorities for both our (...)

Updated: Fri Mar 18 2022

A Proclamation on National Poison Prevention Week, 2022

Each year, more than 2 million poisoning cases are reported in the United States - some of which are tragically fatal, but many of which are preventable. While we have made great strides in the decades since National Poison Prevention Week was first observed 60 years ago - including a decline in unintentional poisoning -...

Updated: Fri Mar 18 2022

Bills Signed: H.R. 189, H.R. 1667, H.R. 2497

On Friday, March 18, 2022, the President signed into law: H.R. 189, the "John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2021," which allows former centers of excellence to be eligible for minority health research endowment. Thank you to Representatives Nanette Barragan, Buddy Carter, Van Taylor, and Nikema Williams and Senators Bill Cassidy and Brian...

Updated: Fri Mar 18 2022