Foreign Affairs

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Head of Presidential Office

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Head of Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak of Ukraine about recent events. They discussed their shared concerns about ongoing Russian military activities near Ukraine's border and its harsh rhetoric towards Ukraine. They agreed that all sides should pursue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. Mr. Sullivan underscored the United...

Updated: Fri Nov 26 2021

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Omicron COVID-19 Variant

This morning I was briefed by my chief medical advisor, Dr. Tony Fauci, and the members of our COVID response team, about the Omicron variant, which is spreading through Southern Africa. As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries. These new...

Updated: Fri Nov 26 2021

1 - Tourism - Meeting between M. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and Mr Ahmed AlKhateeb, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism (23 Novembe

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 via video conference with Mr Ahmed AlKhateeb, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism. The Minister of State and the Minister signalled their wish to strengthen our bilateral cooperation in the area of tourism at a time when the industry is a central focus of the strategic partnership between France and Saudi Arabia (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

Ethiopia - Q&A - (24 Nov. 2021)

Q: The embassy in Addis Ababa is apparently encouraging French residents to leave the country. What is the urgency, what means? And what is the diplomatic outcome of the domestic war, which has little to do with major international or even African tensions? A: Given how the situation is evolving on the ground in Ethiopia and the Addis Ababa area, we have formally called on French nationals to leave the country immediately, and, as we indicated on our website's travel advisory page, all (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

Indonesia - Visit by M. Jean-Yves Le Drian (23-24 November 2021)

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to Indonesia on 23 and 24 November. The visit testifies to the vitality of the strategic partnership between France and Indonesia, a country at the heart of the Indo-Pacific area. The Minister was received by Mr Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, and spoke to his counterpart, Ms Retno Marsudi. He met Mr Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and Mr Prabowo (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November 2021)

On the 22nd International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, France reaffirms its commitment and determination to combat and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. 2021 has been marked by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a spike in violence, especially domestic violence, which the United Nations Secretary-General has described as a "shadow pandemic". At a time when women's and girls' rights are being undermined by the resurgence of (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

Interpol - Q&A - (24 Nov. 2021)

Q: The election of Interpol's president takes place in Istanbul tomorrow, where two candidates are running for office: Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, from the United Arab Emirates, who is accused of torture by British complainants and an NGO representing a political opponent currently being detained, and ?árka Havránková, from the Czech Republic, who is Vice-President of Interpol's European division. Can you tell us whether the EU member countries have consulted one another to determine a common course of (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

Iran - Q&A - (24 Nov. 2021)

Q: Iran has executed Arman Abdolali, who was 17 when he was arrested, in accordance with the "law of retaliation" requested by the victim's family. What's your reaction? A: France condemns the execution in Iran of Arman Abdolali, a minor when the crime was committed. The execution is contrary to the international commitments to which Iran itself has subscribed, in particular the international Convention on the Rights of the Child. It recalls its steadfast opposition to the death penalty, (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

Ireland - Visit by M. Franck Riester (25-26 November 2021)

M. Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is paying a visit to Ireland on 25 and 26 November. The Minister Delegate will meet Mr Leo Varadkar, Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister. They will discuss the main European trade policy issues, a few weeks ahead of France's presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 January 2022. Alongside Irish Prime Minister Mr Micheál (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

United Nations - Appointment of Ms Caroline Ziadeh as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United

France congratulates Ms Caroline Ziadeh on her appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and assures her of its full support in carrying out her new mission. France reaffirms its full support for the action of UNMIK, which helps promote the strengthening of the rule of law and respect for human rights in Kosovo, in coordination with the initiatives of other regional and international (...)

Updated: Thu Nov 25 2021

2021-2022: French Presidency of the Indian Ocean Commission at mid-term

France is holding the Presidency of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) from May 2021 to February 2022. This presidency provides the opportunity to strengthen regional solidarity, consolidate the economic integration of French territories in the Indian Ocean within their regional environment, and promote Francophonie. What is the Indian Ocean Commission? For more than 30 years, through La Réunion, France has been a member of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), alongside the Comoros, (...)

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

A Proclamation on: Thanksgiving Day, 2021

Thanksgiving provides us with a time to reflect on our many blessings - from God, this Nation, and each other. We are grateful for these blessings, even - and especially - during times of challenge. That is why George Washington declared a day of Thanksgiving for his troops as they marched into that dark winter at...

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

FACT SHEET: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Will Revitalize Main Street

America's small businesses account for more than 40 percent of U.S. GDP, create two-thirds of net new jobs, and employ almost half of America's workers. However, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, America's aging infrastructure prevented too many small businesses from reaching their full potential. President Biden's historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will equip America's Main Street...

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

Israel/Palestinian Territories - Projet Pegasus - Q&A (10 Nov 21)

Q: Front Line Defenders has denounced the use of Pegasus, the NSO Group's spyware, against eminent Palestinian figures including Salah Hamouri, a French citizen. Will France join the United States in taking measures against the NSO Group's practices? Do you have any information on those in charge of spying on these Palestinian figures, all of whom are connected with six organizations that Israel placed on a terrorist list? R: With respect to NSO, as we have said before, the facts that have (...)

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

Nigeria - Conversation between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart (Nov. 9, 2021)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke yesterday with his Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama. The two ministers applauded the high caliber of the relationship between France and Nigeria, an important partner for France in Africa. The economic relationship between our two countries has in particular grown stronger, especially via the launch of the France-Nigeria Business Council, as evidenced by French Development Agency projects relating to water access, (...)

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

President Biden Announces Nominations for the Office of Management and Budget

Shalanda Young Nominated to Serve as Director, Nani Coloretti as Deputy Director Today, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Shalanda Young as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Nani Coloretti as Deputy Director. President Biden made the announcement in a video here. Both Young and Coloretti have been confirmed by...

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

Statement by NEC Director Brian Deese and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Samsung Announcement of New Semiconducto

Securing America's supply chains is a top priority for President Biden and his Administration. We welcome Samsung's announcement today that it will build a new semiconductor facility in Texas, helping protect our supply chains, revitalizing our manufacturing base, and creating good jobs right here at home. The Biden-Harris Administration has been working around the clock with Congress,...

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Polish National Security Bur

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone today with Poland's National Security Bureau Chief Pawel Soloch. Mr Sullivan underscored our strong bilateral cooperation on defense issues and welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen NATO's deterrence posture. He conveyed strong support for Poland in the face of the Lukashenka regime's actions that created a migration crisis...

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on the U.S.-Lithuania Strategic Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific

The United States and Lithuania convened high-level bilateral consultations in Washington today to discuss opportunities for enhanced cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including with like-minded partners. The United States reaffirmed strong support for Lithuania as a valued NATO Ally and partner in addressing many shared global challenges and opportunities, and in particular, those in the Indo-Pacific....

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021

Statement by the President on Remembering Holodomor

Each November we solemnly honor and pay tribute to the millions of innocent Ukrainians who suffered and perished during the Holodomor - "death by hunger" - in 1932 and 1933. The men, women, and children who lost their lives during this famine were victims of the brutal policies and deliberate acts of the regime of...

Updated: Wed Nov 24 2021