Foreign Affairs

Tourism - Meeting between M. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and Ms Caroline Proulx, Quebec's Minister of Tourism (22 November 2021)

M. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting yesterday with Ms Caroline Proulx, Quebec's Minister of Tourism. The Minister of State and the Minister recalled the French and Quebec authorities' active efforts to support those in the tourism industry hit hard by the crisis. They highlighted the importance for Quebec of the French market, the largest overseas market, and (...)

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on Oil and Gas Prices

Via Teleconference 7:06 A.M. EST MODERATOR: Good morning, everyone. Thanks so much for joining us this early for this background briefing. Some ground rules before we dive right in: This call will be on background, attributable to "senior administration officials." This call will not be embargoed. Not for attribution but just for everyone's awareness, for those on...

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Bills Signed: H.R. 1510 and S. 108

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 1510, which requires VA to report to the Congress on the use of cameras in VA medical facilities, Thank you to Representatives McKinley, Trone, Mooney, Miller, Reschenthaler, and Bost and Senators Capito, Manchin, Boozman, Braun, and Sinema for their leadership; and S. 108, which...

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Egypt - Q&A - (22 Nov. 2021)

Q: According to Disclose, since 2016 France has been providing intelligence to the Egyptian authorities that has been used by Egypt to target traffickers at the Egyptian-Libyan border, rather than Jihadists as provided by the initial agreement. Can you deny the existence of Operation Sirli? A: I refer you to the Ministry for the Armed Forces.

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

France-Australia - Q&A - (22 Nov. 2021)

Q: The American and Australian governments are entering the first phase of their project to build nuclear submarines for the Australian navy. How is France handling Australia's retraction of its contract with Naval Group and its impact on the French-Australian strategic partnership? A: As the minister has noted repeatedly, we are extremely vigilant with respect to commitments toward Naval Group and its French and Australian subcontractors, and we will strongly defend our interests in this (...)

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Greece - Visit by M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (19 November 2021)

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visited Greece today. He had meetings with Prime Minister Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Greek Foreign Minister Mr Nikos Dendias. During his meetings, the Minister spoke of the relationship of trust between our two countries, illustrated by the signing of a strategic partnership on 28 September 2021. Jean-Yves Le Drian also reviewed the priority issues for the French presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), which (...)

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Indonesia - Visit by Jean-Yves Le Drian (Nov. 23-24, 2021)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian will be in Indonesia on November 23 and 24. He will be hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and will meet with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Mr. Le Drian will also have discussions with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment. During this visit, which marks the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between France and (...)

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

NATO - Q&A - (22 Nov. 2021)

Q: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that if Germany refuses to deploy NATO's nuclear weapons, they could be transfered to other European countries, including countries in the eastern part of Europe. Do you think that moving the nuclear arsenal closer to Russia's borders could have negative consequences from the standpoint of strategic stability? A: As reiterated at the last NATO summit, the fundamental aim of NATO's nuclear capacity is to preserve peace, to prevent coercive (...)

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

President Biden Announces Release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve As Part of Ongoing Efforts to Lower Prices and Address

Announcement is in parallel with other major energy consuming nations, including China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom Over the last 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented global economic shutdown. As the world is re-opening from a near economic standstill, countries across the globe are grappling with the challenges that...

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

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

Via Teleconference 4:33 P.M. EST MR. ZIENTS: (In progress.) Today, we'll focus on booster shots. And we'll start with Drs. Walensky and Fauci, and then I'll provide an operations update. Dr. Walensky, over to you. DR. WALENSKY: Thank you, Jeff. Good afternoon. As always, I'd like to start by walking you through the data. The...

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki En Route Fort Bragg, NC

Aboard Air Force OneEn Route Fort Bragg, North Carolina 5:00 P.M. EST MS. PSAKI: All right, hi everyone. Okay, I have a few things at the top for you. Welcome to our trip to Fort Bragg. The President and the First Lady will be attending a Friendsgiving meal, hosted by the Robert Irvine Foundation, as...

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Remarks by President Biden on the Economy and Lowering Prices for the American People

South Court Auditorium 2:21 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. This week, millions of Americans, including some of the people in this room, are likely to be hitting the road, reuniting with their loved ones in cities and towns all across America to celebrate Thanksgiving. As they do, I want to take a moment to talk about...

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Sudan - Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok reinstated (Nov. 21, 2021)

France welcomes the reinstatement of Abdalla Hamdok as Prime Minister. It calls for moving forward with the swift formation of a civilian government. France reiterates its call for the immediate release of all political detainees arrested since October 25, and for the respect of the Sudanese people's right to peacefully express their opinions.

Updated: Tue Nov 23 2021

Bills Signed: H.R. 2093 and H.R. 2911

Bills Signed: H.R. 2093 and H.R. 2911Edit Subject On Monday, November 22, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 2093, the "Veterans and Family Information Act," which requires VA to provide its fact sheets in specified languages, Thank you to Representatives Jeffries and Young Kim and Senator Hirono for their leadership; and H.R. 2911, the "VA...

Updated: Mon Nov 22 2021

Statement from NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Christian Schmidt, High

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today with High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt. Mr. Sullivan underscored the United States' strong support for the High Representative, his office, and its mandate to oversee civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords. APNSA Sullivan and High Representative Schmidt emphasized their shared commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina's...

Updated: Mon Nov 22 2021

Vice President Harris Announces Historic Funding to Bolster Equitable Health Care During Pandemic, and Beyond

$1.5 Billion Investment in National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps Will Expand and Diversify the Health Workforce and Improve Critical Clinical Care in Underserved Communities Today, Vice President Kamala Harris will announce a historic $1.5 billion investment to help grow and diversify the nation's health care workforce, and bolster equitable health care in the communities that need it most during the COVID-19...

Updated: Mon Nov 22 2021

Biden-Harris Administration Memorializes Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Biden-Harris Administration mourns those we lost in the deadliest year on record for transgender Americans, as well as the countless other transgender people-disproportionately transgender women and girls of color-who face brutal violence, discrimination, and harassment. At least 46 transgender Americans were killed by acts of fatal violence to...

Updated: Sat Nov 20 2021

Statement by President Biden on Transgender Day of Remembrance

This year, at least 46 transgender individuals in this country-and hundreds more around the world-were killed in horrifying acts of violence. Each of these lives was precious. Each of them deserved freedom, justice, and joy. Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we mourn those we lost in the deadliest year on record for transgender Americans,...

Updated: Sat Nov 20 2021

Building Back Better Together: A Secure, Prosperous North America

The following is the text of a Joint Statement by North American Leaders: We, the leaders of North America, met today in Washington, DC for the first time since 2016 to reaffirm the strength of our relationship and to chart a new path for our collaboration at a time when we face incredibly complex global...

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

China - Q&A - Situation of Peng Shuai (19.11.21)

Q : With regard to Peng Shuai: is the French government expressing doubt on the safety of the tennis player made famous by the Rolland-Garros tournament? Is it possible for Paris to disregard this situation? A : We are concerned by the lack of information on the whereabouts of tennis player Peng Shuai, which is worrying the international community and the sports community. We call on the Chinese authorities to implement their commitments to the fight against violence against women, (...)

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021

FACT SHEET: Key Deliverables for the 2021 North American Leaders' Summit

Today President Biden met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico for the North American Leaders' Summit. They reiterated our strong ties and integration, and willingness to chart a new path for our partnership at a time when we face incredibly complex global challenges. The Leaders pledged...

Updated: Fri Nov 19 2021