Foreign Affairs

Russia - Destructive strike against one of its own satellites (16 November 2021)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Minister for the Armed Forces firmly condemn the destructive strike by Russia against one of its own satellites. This is a destabilizing, irresponsible action which could cause very long-term consequences for the space environment and all space players. In particular, anti-satellite strikes knowingly create debris which poses a risk to the safety of space activities and to free access to space for everyone. In this particular case, we note (...)

Updated: Wed Nov 17 2021

A Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Responsible for Policies or Actions That Thr

In light of the importance to the United States of fostering democratic processes and institutions in Nicaragua to help the Nicaraguan people achieve their aspirations for democracy, and given the suppression of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua, I have determined that it is in the interest of the United States to restrict and suspend the...

Updated: Tue Nov 16 2021

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on President Biden's Virtual Meeting with President Xi of the People

Via Teleconference (November 15, 2021) MODERATOR: Thanks so much. And good evening - or good morning, everyone. Thanks for your patience. As you're aware, today, we are - we'll be reading out President Biden's virtual bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China. For the ground rules, this call is on background and attributed...

Updated: Tue Nov 16 2021

Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Situation in Nicaragua

On November 27, 2018, by Executive Order 13851, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701?1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in Nicaragua. The situation in Nicaragua, including...

Updated: Tue Nov 16 2021

Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates En Route Woodstock, NH

12:46 P.M. EST MR. BATES: I have a little bit at the top for you. I appreciate you joining us for the President's trip to Woodstock, New Hampshire, where he will visit the NH 175 bridge over the Pemigewasset, or just "Pemi" River, which has been the state's - on the state's "red list" of bridges...

Updated: Tue Nov 16 2021

Remarks by President Biden at Signing of H.R. 3684, The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

South Lawn 4:01 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. AUDIENCE: Joe! Joe! Joe! THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Heather. Thank you, thank you, thank you. AUDIENCE: Joe! Joe! Joe! THE PRESIDENT: (Laughs.) Well, thank you. Heather, you thought - you're surprised you're standing here. (Laughter.) Jill was very surprised I'm standing here. (Laughter.) Well, Heather,...

Updated: Tue Nov 16 2021

Remarks by President Biden on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

NH 175 Pemigewasset River BridgeWoodstock, New Hampshire 2:51 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Before I officially start, Billy, you have something you have to give your wife - I got to remind you. Okay? (Laughter.) Okay? You got it? Okay. You got it. All right. Folks, it's a great honor to be here. It really is. ...

Updated: Tue Nov 16 2021

Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Cuba's November 15 Protests

This July, the world watched as Cubans bravely took to the streets in historic protests, asserting their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. In advance of peaceful demonstrations planned for today, the Cuban regime predictably deployed a set piece of harsh prison sentences, sporadic arrests, intimidation tactics, and acts of repudiation...

Updated: Tue Nov 16 2021

Albania - Meeting between Clément Beaune and the Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Paris, Nov. 12, 2021)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, hosted Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka today. The minister reaffirmed France's full support for Albania's European prospects and lauded the progress made to meet the conditions set by the Council for the first intergovernmental conference between Albania and the EU member states. He encouraged Albania to continue on the path of necessary reforms, (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Belarus - Q&A (15 Nov. 2021)

Q: There will be a NATO meeting and a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels; what can we expect? What will France be stressing concerning the migrants and the Belarus crisis? A: I refer you to the message from Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian following his conversation with his Polish counterpart, Zbigniew Rau, yesterday, as well as my statement on the Minister's participation in the Foreign Affairs Council, and especially the following passage: (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Bill Signed: H.R. 3684

On Monday, November 15, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 3684, the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," which reauthorizes surface transportation programs for five years, through Fiscal Year 2026, and provides for a one-time transfer of funds from the General Fund into the Highway Trust Fund; authorizes programs for water, energy, and broadband infrastructure;...

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Burkina Faso - Attack in Soum province (Nov. 14, 2021)

France strongly condemns the November 14 attack on the Inata gendarmerie detachment in Soum province that killed several dozen gendarmes. It offers its condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen gendarmes and to the Burkinabé people. Together with the partners of the Coalition for the Sahel, France stands with the authorities of Burkina Faso to combat terrorism.

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Conversation between Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and Henry Puna, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (Nov. 12, 2021)

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke with Henry Puna, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, on November 12. The Minister and the Secretary General addressed the region's main challenges, which are at the center of France's Indo-Pacific strategy. They confirmed our shared priority of combating climate change, and areas of action and cooperation, in line with the (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Cuba - Q&A (15 Nov. 2021)

Q: On Saturday the Cuban authorities withdrew press accreditations from journalists with the EFE agency posted in the country ahead of an opposition march called for today. Some were subsequently returned. Do you have any comment on this measure against journalists? A: France reiterates its commitment to the freedom of the press and to the safety of journalists and all those who contribute to the public debate. It urges the Cuban authorities to return the accreditations to the concerned (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

European Union - M. Jean-Yves Le Drian's participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels, 15 November 2021)

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will take part in the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council, which is to meet in Brussels on Monday 15 November 2021. On the Sahel, the Minister will argue that the European Union should support the action of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in relation to Mali and swiftly adopt a legal framework in order to take restrictive measures similar to those taken by the African regional organization against (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Executive Order on Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to effectively implement the historic infrastructure investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the Act), it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Background. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is...

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Moldova - Meeting between Clément Beaune and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (Paris, Nov. 12, 2021)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is hosting Nicu Popescu, the Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, today. Following on from the visit to Paris by Moldovan President Maia Sandu this past February and the visit by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs to Chi?in?u in September, Mr. Beaune will discuss the various aspects of our bilateral relationship, particularly in the economic and (...)

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021

Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Amanda Bennett, of the District of Columbia, to be Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media, vice Michael Pack. Brandon B. Brown, of Louisiana, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana for the term of four years, vice David C....

Updated: Mon Nov 15 2021