Foreign Affairs

Joint statement on the first anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death (16 Feb. 2025)

On the anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death, which followed years of persecution by the Kremlin, we again extend our condolences to his family. We reiterate that the ultimate responsibility for his death lies with the Russian authorities. One year on, Russia's dire human rights record continues to deteriorate. The Kremlin crushes peaceful dissent, maintains a climate of fear and undermines the rule of law. All to serve its own interests. As we reflect on Navalny's enduring legacy, we continue (…)

Updated: Tue Feb 18 2025

New President of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Collège de Terminologie et de Néologie (14 Feb. 2025)

Following on from the 19th Francophone Summit and the 30th anniversary of the Toubon Law governing the use of the French language, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is continuing its efforts to promote the French language and ensure that it plays a central role in international relations. The Ministry is committed to creating and popularizing French terms and expressions for new concepts with foreign names via its Collège de Terminologie et de Néologie [“College of Terminology and (…)

Updated: Tue Feb 18 2025

Syria - Return of three French children (18 Feb. 2025)

On February 17, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs organized the return to France of three French children who were in a Damascus orphanage. We are thrilled that these children are being reunited with their loved ones. France wants to thank its partners, whose cooperation made it possible to bring these children home.

Updated: Tue Feb 18 2025

UAE - Conversation between Jean-Noël Barrot and his Emirati counterpart (18 Feb. 2025)

On February 17, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke with his Emirati counterpart, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two Ministers hailed the signing of a joint framework agreement on AI during a visit by the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Paris on February 6. This agreement provides for investments by a consortium of French-Emirati “champions” with the aim of creating a 1 GW campus (…)

Updated: Tue Feb 18 2025

Ukraine - OPCW report on the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare (18 Feb. 2025)

France was deeply concerned by the report issued by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on February 14 confirming the use of a chemical agent in three incidents in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region last year: near the village of Marivka on October 2, and near the village of Illinka on October 12 and 14. This is the OPCW's second report highlighting the presence of riot control agents on the front line and follows numerous accounts by Ukraine of violations of the (…)

Updated: Tue Feb 18 2025

China - Jean-Noël Barrot’s meeting with his counterpart (15.02.25)

M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting on Saturday 15 February with Mr Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Communist Party and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The two ministers emphasized their commitment to bilateral dialogue between France and China in order to propose responses to the current crises. Among other (…)

Updated: Mon Feb 17 2025

Canada - M. Jean-Noël Barrot’s meeting with his counterpart (13.02.25)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs had a meeting on 13 February with his new Lebanese counterpart, Mr Youssef Raggi, on the sidelines of the Paris international conference on Syria. He warmly congratulated him on his appointment to the government that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam formed on 8 February. The Minister reaffirmed France's full support for the process of change begun by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, aimed at putting Lebanon back on the (…)

Updated: Fri Feb 14 2025

Egypt - Conversation between Jean-Noël Barrot and his Egyptian counterpart (13.02.25)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on the sidelines of the Paris Conference on Syria held on February 13. During their conversation, the two Ministers reaffirmed their shared desire to work to preserve the ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the release of all hostages and secure a lasting peace based on the two-State solution – the only thing capable of guaranteeing the Israelis' and Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for (…)

Updated: Fri Feb 14 2025

Germany -Munich attack (14.02.25)

France stands with Germany after a car rammed into a crowd in Munich on February 13, injuring some 30 people. France offers its solidarity and support to the German people and authorities.

Updated: Fri Feb 14 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Humanitarian freight bound for the Gaza Strip (14.02.25)

A plane chartered by the European Union is today transporting nearly 52 tonnes of humanitarian aid supplied by France to civilians in the Gaza Strip. The cargo, put together by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' Crisis and Support Centre, includes tents, blankets, ground sheets and tarpaulins for more than 1,000 Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip and nearly a tonne of medicines donated by the French non-profit organization Tulipe. The despatch of tents to Gaza supports the (…)

Updated: Fri Feb 14 2025

Jordan - Conversation between Jean-Noël Barrot and his Jordanian counterpart (14.02.25)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke today with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi. During their conversation, and following on from the Paris Conference on Syria held on February 13, the two Ministers addressed the situation in Syria. They agreed on the importance of supporting a just, inclusive political transition that fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people and respects the rights of all Syrians. They also reaffirmed their shared desire to work to (…)

Updated: Fri Feb 14 2025

Lebanon - Jean-Noël Barrot’s meeting with his counterpart (13.02.25)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs had a meeting on 13 February with his new Lebanese counterpart, Mr Youssef Raggi, on the sidelines of the Paris international conference on Syria. He warmly congratulated him on his appointment to the government that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam formed on 8 February. The Minister reaffirmed France's full support for the process of change begun by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, aimed at putting Lebanon back on the (…)

Updated: Fri Feb 14 2025

DRC - Conversation between Jean-Noël Barrot and his Congolese counterpart (February 13, 2025)

On February 12, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke with Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Minister expressed his deep concern over the deterioration of the situation in eastern DRC following the capture of Goma on January 28 and ongoing clashes in South Kivu near Bukavu. He reaffirmed France's unwavering support for the DRC's sovereignty and territorial (…)

Updated: Thu Feb 13 2025

Paris Conference on Syria - Joint statement (13 Feb. 2025)

Statement by the Governments of France, Syria, Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. Following the ministerial meetings in Aqaba (14 December 2024) and (…)

Updated: Thu Feb 13 2025

Saudi Arabia - Conversation between Jean-Noël Barrot and his Saudi counterpart (February 13, 2025)

On February 13, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The two ministers hailed the prospects created by the Paris AI Action Summit. They underscored their shared desire to expand French-Saudi cooperation in this area in order to promote trustworthy, safe and secure AI to the benefit of all. They also discussed projects aimed at strengthening economic and business ties between Europe and the (…)

Updated: Thu Feb 13 2025

Weimar+ statement (France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, United-Kingdom, Ukraine, HRVP, European Commission) (12 Feb. 2025)

We are ready to enhance our support for Ukraine. We are committed to its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's war of aggression. We share the goal to keep supporting Ukraine until a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is reached. A peace that guarantees the interest of Ukraine and our own. We are looking forward to discussing the way ahead together with our American allies. Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. (…)

Updated: Thu Feb 13 2025

AI Action Summit: Ensuring the development of trusted, safe and secure AI to benefit of all (Paris, 12 Feb. 2025)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming our society, opening up unprecedented opportunities in many fields. For this technological revolution to benefit everyone, it is crucial to ensure its responsible and ethical development, with trust at its heart. AI raises major concerns regarding safety and security, as clearly demonstrated by the summits in Bletchley Park (United Kingdom - November 2023) and Seoul (South Korea - May 2024). Whether in anticipating extreme risks or (…)

Updated: Wed Feb 12 2025

Yemen / United Nations - World Food Programme humanitarian worker dies in detention (12 Feb. 2025)

France expresses its profound indignation following the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) humanitarian worker who had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis under inhumane conditions since last January. France offers its condolences to the loved ones of the victim and to the United Nations. France reiterates its strongest possible condemnation of the Houthis' arbitrary detention of employees the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and diplomatic missions. France demands (…)

Updated: Wed Feb 12 2025

Brazil - Meeting between the Minister and his counterpart, Mr Mauro Vieira (10 Feb. 2025)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Noël Barrot, had a meeting today with his Brazilian counterpart, Mr Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. The two ministers discussed our two countries' various key engagements in 2025, in particular the UNOC3 summit in Nice and COP30 in Belém, with a view to coordinating our action and championing greater ambition in protecting the environment and fighting climate change. (…)

Updated: Tue Feb 11 2025

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Situation in the West Bank (11 Feb. 2025)

France is deeply concerned about the many civilian casualties – particularly children – and the people displaced as a result of the Israeli operations under way in the north of the West Bank. The way the use of force is being employed by the Israeli army in the West Bank is extremely concerning. France calls on the Israeli authorities to show the utmost restraint in the use of force and to comply with their international obligations under international humanitarian law by ensuring the (…)

Updated: Tue Feb 11 2025

Lebanon - Formation of a new government (09.02.25)

France welcomes the formation of the new Lebanese government, less than a month after the election of President Joseph Aoun. It warmly congratulates him, President of the Council of Ministers Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, for their decisive contribution to this result. It wishes the new government every success in accomplishing its mission, on which it is embarking at a historic and crucial moment for Lebanon's future. France will stand alongside Lebanon to help it (…)

Updated: Mon Feb 10 2025

The Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse calls for gender to be an integral part of

Joint statement from the governements of Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Iceland, Mexico, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and Sweden. In light of the upcoming Global AI Action Summit organised by France, we, the undersigned members countries of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse emphasize the critical need to address human rights and gender equality issues in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). With the rapid (…)

Updated: Mon Feb 10 2025

Russia - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (6 Feb. 2025)

Q: According to Le Monde, Russian authorities canceled the accreditation of its Moscow correspondent. The Russian foreign ministry asserts that it will be renewed if Paris begins issuing visas to Russian journalists. How do you respond to that? A: France condemns the Russian authorities' decision to abruptly revoke the accreditation of Le Monde's Russia correspondent, Benjamin Quénelle. This decision is all the more significant in that it's the first time since 1957 that Le Monde – one of (…)

Updated: Thu Feb 06 2025