Foreign Affairs

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

Bulgaria and North Macedonia (17 Mar.2022)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs spoke separately with his Bulgarian and North Macedonian counterparts, Teodora Genchovska and Bujar Osmani. France commended the constructive atmosphere that has characterized discussions between the two countries and emphasized that a balanced, mutually acceptable compromise would be especially important in view of the war in Ukraine and tensions in the vicinity of the EU. France reiterated that should an agreement be reached, as President of (...)

Updated: Fri Mar 18 2022

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

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke today to Mr Nicu Popescu, Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. Their discussion focused on the implementation of France's action plan to support Moldova in dealing with the consequences of the war in Ukraine, which was prepared following the Minister's on-the-spot visit on 3 March. The two ministers prepared for the meeting of the Council of the European Union on 21 March, (...)

Updated: Fri Mar 18 2022

President Biden Announces Key Nominees

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in his administration: Candace Bond, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Timmy Davis, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Qatar Puneet Talwar, Nominee for Ambassador...

Updated: Fri Mar 18 2022

Remarks by President Biden at the Presentation of the Shamrocks

East Room 5:47 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Happy Saint Patrick's Day, everyone. It's great to see you all here. And last year, because of the pandemic, the Taoiseach and I had to hold our meeting virtually. How you doing, pal? We got all the Irish here today. (Laughter.) And this is the first year...

Updated: Fri Mar 18 2022

FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Launches Effort to Improve Ventilation and Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Buildings

Earlier this month, the Biden-Harris Administration released the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, a roadmap to move the country forward safely and continue to fight COVID-19 as Americans get back to their more normal routines. Today the Administration is launching the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, a key component of the President's Plan, that calls on...

Updated: Thu Mar 17 2022