Foreign Affairs

European Union - Clément Beaune participates in the General Affairs Council meeting (Brussels 25 Jan. 22)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is participating in today's General Affairs Council meeting, the first to take place under the French presidency of the Council of the European Union. The minister will outline the priorities for the French presidency before the current Council, in particular the issue of the rule of law. At this meeting, a debate will take place on two draft pieces of regulation that aim to (...)

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Executive Order on 2022 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. 801-946a), and in order to prescribe amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, prescribed by Executive Order 12473 of...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

FACT SHEET: Executive Order, 2022 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial

Today, President Biden signed an Executive Order to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which is key to advancing the historic, bipartisan military justice reform he signed into law last month through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This Executive Order strengthens the military justice system's response to gender-based violence, and delivers on key...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Iran - Situation of Benjamin Brière (25.01.22)

We were extremely concerned to learn that Benjamin Brière was sentenced today to eight years in prison for "spying" and eight months for "propaganda" against the regime. This completely groundless sentence is unacceptable. Mr. Brière was arrested while traveling in Iran as a tourist. Our Embassy maintains regular contact with him in keeping with the right to consular protection set forth in the Vienna Convention of April 24, 1963; his last consular visit was on January 17. Mr. Brière appeared (...)

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Joint Statement on the Virtual Meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata convened a virtual meeting on January 26 of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group (SCG). They were joined by senior representatives from their respective foreign policy, defense, and intelligence agencies. The two sides discussed upcoming military training exercises, and welcomed American observation...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Lebanon - Q&A - (25.01.22)

Q : A Lebanese politician and friend of France, Saad Hariri, the leader of the Future Movement party, announced his withdrawal from public life. In announcing his departure, the former Prime Minister leaves in his wake a disheartened country in a state of financial collapse. As a friend of Lebanon, France helped Mr. Hariri when he was held against his will in the Saudi capital. What is your reaction this time? A : Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, with whom we have maintained (...)

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

NATO - Jean-Yves Le Drian's conversation with the NATO Secretary General (Jan. 25)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss escalating tensions with Russia during his trip to Brussels for the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. The minister discussed the exchanges that had taken place among EU foreign affairs ministers as well as the determination that we share with our NATO allies to ensure that any new incursion on Ukraine's territorial integrity be met with severe consequences and come at a (...)

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Night of Ideas 2022: a worldwide festival of thought

The Night of Ideas, held on the last Thursday of January each year, was initiated in 2016 by leading French and international thinkers. Adapted to Covid-19 health restrictions, the 7th edition of this emblematic event starts on 27 January, and continues through the first semester in 2022. The theme is "(Re)building together". This edition celebrates free circulation of ideas and knowledge with a special focus on Europe. In the evening, conferences, meetings, forums and screenings have been (...)

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

President Biden Announces Appointees for the United States Holocaust Memorial Council

WASHINGTON - Today, President Biden announces his intent to appoint the following individuals to serve as members on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council: Stuart Eizenstat, Chair Allan M. Holt, Vice Chair Tom A. Bernstein Abraham H. Foxman Meryl Frank Judith Gold Marsha Z. Laufer Samuel Lauter Jeffrey Peck Leah Pisar Mark A. Siegel Susan...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

President Biden Announces Key Diplomatic Nominees

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key diplomatic roles in his administration: Michael Adler, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of South Sudan John Godfrey, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of the Sudan Michael Adler, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

President Biden Announces Six New Nominees to Serve as U.S. Attorneys

President Biden is announcing six new nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys across the country, officials who will be indispensable to upholding the rule of law as the top federal law enforcement officials for their districts. These individuals were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, January 26, 2022

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 2:36 P.M. EST MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. Good afternoon. Okay, I have a couple of items for all of you at the top. As we mentioned, later today - in our guidance last night, I should say - later today, the President will sign an executive order to make sexual...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials

Via Teleconference 11:04 A.M. EST MR. ZIENTS: Good morning, and thanks for joining us. Today, Dr. Walensky will provide an update on Omicron and the state of the pandemic, and Dr. Fauci will discuss the latest research on development of pan-coronavirus vaccines. First, I'll provide a brief operational update. We have more tools widely available...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Remarks by President Biden at Build Back Better CEO Roundtable

State Dining Room 1:13 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Let me begin by thanking all the CEOs of America's major companies for being here today. And they're America's top business leaders, and being here to support the Build Back Better initiative is, I think, important. The economic plan we began with in this administration has shown...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Senior Administration Official Travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This week, Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.? He will be joined by National Security Council Senior Director for Africa Dana Banks and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Amy Holman. The trip underscores the Biden Administration's commitment to partnering with African nations to solve global...

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Sudan - Political situation (25.01.22)

France is monitoring developments in the situation in Sudan with great concern. Our country condemns the continuing violence against protesters, which led to several additional civilian casualties yesterday, as well as the arrest of humanitarian workers. France reaffirms its commitment to the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people and reiterates its call to fully respect their right to express their opinions peacefully, without fear of violence or (...)

Updated: Wed Jan 26 2022

Burkina Faso - Q&A - (24.01.22)

Q : Gunfire was heard late in the day on Sunday in Ouagadougou where mutiny was attempted at several military bases located near the residence of the president of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. What information do you have on the current situation in the country? Do you believe we are witnessing an attempted coup? A : France closely monitoring the events taking place in Burkina Faso. We are paying particular attention to the protection of the French community there. We have (...)

Updated: Tue Jan 25 2022

Iran - Q&A - (24.01.22)

Q : Do you think an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue should be linked to Iran's release of foreign prisoners? A : We are monitoring the situations of Fariba Adelkhah and Benjamin Brière, who are being detained in Iran, with the utmost attention and concern. As we have repeatedly emphasized, Ms. Adelkhah's conviction is not based on any credible evidence; it is purely political and arbitrary. We condemn the decision taken on January 12 to return her to prison with no explanation or (...)

Updated: Tue Jan 25 2022

Ukraine - Q&A - (24.01.22)

Q : Do you plan on asking your Kiev embassy staff to leave Ukraine, as Washington and London have done? Also, what is your reaction to the information supplied by the Foreign Office accusing Russia of attempting to install a pro-Russian leader in Kiev? Q : The United States has announced the withdrawal of the families of its Kiev embassy staff. The United Kingdom is reportedly doing the same. Given France's EU presidency and status as a sovereign nation, what kind of decision can we expect (...)

Updated: Tue Jan 25 2022

EU - Jean-Yves Le Drian participating in Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels, 24 Jan. 22)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian is taking part in today's meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers. Following on from the foreign ministers' discussions in Brest on January 13 and 14 (in the so-called "Gymnich" format), this meeting will address the security of the EU's eastern neighbors, and especially Ukraine, at a time of growing tension with Russia. The ministers will reaffirm a two-pronged European policy consisting of a) a deterrent posture toward any (...)

Updated: Tue Jan 25 2022

FACT SHEET: President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

"As a nation, we must require serious consequence and accountability for those who commit these crimes. And we must work to stop these crimes before they happen." "Our plan centers on the key pillars of U.S. and global anti-trafficking efforts: prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships...There is a clear line that runs throughout our Administration's work:...

Updated: Tue Jan 25 2022

Fact Sheet: The New Small Business Boom Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Since day one in office, President Biden has focused on providing America's small businesses with the tools and resources they need to reopen, rehire, and build back better. To-date, the Biden-Harris Administration has distributed more than $400 billion in critical relief to more than 6 million small businesses. President Biden's efforts have not only helped...

Updated: Tue Jan 25 2022

Francophonie - Meeting between Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and Slim Khalbous, rector of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister Delegate for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Minister Delegate for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, attached to the Minister for the Economy, Finance and the Recovery, will attend an annual meeting with Slim Khalbous, rector of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (Association of French Universities, or AUF), to review progress on joint projects and short- and (...)

Updated: Tue Jan 25 2022