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Iran – Arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh (03.04.26) France was deeply concerned by the announcement of yesterdays arrest of lawyer and human rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh, winner of the Sakharov Prize. This arrest illustrates yet again the Iranian regimes systematic policy of persecution and intimidation of human rights activists. It must stop. France calls for the immediate release of Nasrin Sotoudeh and all those detained arbitrarily in Iran. It expresses its concern over the alarming news concerning the health of Narges Mohammadi. It (…)
Passing of Chandrikapersad Santokhi, former President of Suriname (31.03.26) France honors the memory of the former President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who died suddenly. A major political figure in Suriname, he was elected President in 2020 and held that office until July 2025. His commitment to strengthening relations between our two countries, neighbors via French Guiana, resulted in the signing of an agreement to delineate the border along the Maroni River on March 15, 2021. France offers its heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, and to the (…)
Joint Statement on Lebanon (31.03.26) We, Foreign Ministers of Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union, express our full support to the Government and people of Lebanon, who are once again suffering the dramatic consequences of a war that is not theirs. We express our condolences to the family of the victims and our solidarity to the civilian population impacted by this war both in Lebanon and Israel. The (…)
Jean-Noël Barrots conversation with Ms Nialé Kaba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Côte dIvoire (30 March 2026) M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke on the telephone to his Ivorian counterpart, Ms Nialé Kaba, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Monday 30 March 2026. This first exchange between the two ministers made it possible to highlight the excellent, diverse Franco-Ivorian partnership. The ministers welcomed the many important bilateral events of the past few weeks, with, among others, the return to Côte dIvoire of the (…)
European Union: ministers meeting with Stephane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy (30 March 2026) M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, hosted a meeting on Monday 30 March 2026 with M. Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. The discussions focused on European competitiveness and the deepening of the single market. The Minister paid tribute to Vice-President Stéphane Séjournés commitment, in particular to the Industrial Accelerator project. It is the first important step in strengthening the (…)
Joint Statement of Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom – Bill expanding application of death penalty in Israel (March 29, 2026) We, the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, express our deep concern about a bill that would significantly expand the possibilities to impose the death penalty in Israel and that could be voted into law next week. We are particularly worried about the de facto discriminatory character of the bill. The adoption of this bill would risk undermining Israels commitments with regards to democratic principles. The death penalty is an inhumane and degrading form of (…)
Foreign Ministers Meeting of G7 Member States at the Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay (26 and 27.03.26) Under the French Presidency of the G7, the first formal G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting was held on 26 and 27 March 2026, at the Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, in the Yvelines Department (78). In a context marked by a fragmentation of the international order and an outbreak of conflicts and hybrid threats, this event was held in line with Frances aim to make the G7 a space for dialogue and consultation for the major global economies. It is an important step in preparing G7s response to (…)
Joint Statement of G7 Foreign Ministers on Iran (27.03.26) We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met under Frances G7 Presidency, at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, France from March 26 to 27, 2026. We discussed the situation in Iran and the region. We underscored the importance of minimizing the impact of the conflict on regional partners and civilian populations, critical infrastructure - and the need to (…)
Meeting between the Minister and Mr Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil (26 March 2026) The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Noël Barrot, held a meeting today with his Brazilian counterpart, Mr Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on the sidelines of the first formal G7 Foreign Ministers meeting. The two ministers discussed our two countries key engagements in 2026, in particular the French Presidency of the G7 in which Brazil is fully involved as a partner country. The two ministers also spoke about the situation in (…)
Conversation between the Minister and his counterpart Cho Hyun, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs (26 March 2026) On 26 March 2026, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Cho Hyun. With 2026 marking the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, the Ministers discussed progress on strategic cooperation ahead of President Macrons state visit to Korea next week. The Ministers spoke about international crises, and reiterated their commitment to multilateralism and the (…)
Meeting between M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Mr Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan (26 March 2026) M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Mr Toshimitsu Motegi, on 26 March 2026, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Vaux-de-Cernay. The two ministers welcomed the close coordination between France and Japan in the context of the French G7 presidencys work, illustrating the excellent momentum of the exceptional Franco-Japanese partnership in the run-up to President Macrons forthcoming visit to Japan. They (…)
Ministers meeting with Mr Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (March 26, 2026) The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, on 26 March, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the practical support that France, and the G7 under the French presidency, would be lending Ukraine, not only to support it in military, civilian and financial terms but also to step up economic pressure on Russia and support Ukraine in its reforms agenda. (…)
Minister Jean-Noël Barrots meeting with Ms Kaja Kallas, EU high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (March 26, 2026) M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke to Mme Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on 26 March 2026, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting. The meeting focused in particular on the situation in the Middle East, its consequences for maritime security and freedom of navigation, and notably on the situation in Lebanon. Both also discussed the European Unions support for Ukraine in the face of Russian (…)
Ministers meeting with Mr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Indias external Affairs minister (March 26, 2026) The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs spoke to his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on Thursday 26 March 2026, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay. The Indian Foreign Ministers participation in the meeting testifies to the importance France attaches to closely involving India, which holds the BRICS presidency this year, in its G7 presidency. The ministers welcomed the fact that Prime Minister Modi has confirmed his (…)
Ministers meeting with his highness Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (March 26, 2026) Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke to his counterpart from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay. The two ministers talked about the ongoing war in the Middle East, marked by strikes carried out against Iran by Israel and the United States, and missile and drone attacks carried out by Tehran in several countries of the region, particularly Saudi Arabia. (…)
Ministers meeting with Ms Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom (March 26, 2026) M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke to his United Kingdom counterpart, Ms Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, on 26 March 2026, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting. The meeting focused in particular on the situation in the Middle East, its consequences for maritime security and freedom of navigation, and on the situation in Lebanon. The two ministers also discussed the (…)
G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Vaux-de-Cernay (25.03.26) In an international context marked by a growing number of conflicts, an increase in cross-cutting threats such as organized crime and drug trafficking, and the fragmentation of the world economic order, France wants to put dialogue, crisis-response and renewed multilateralism at the heart of its G7 Presidency. These will be the objectives of this G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting to be held on 26-27 March in Les Vaux-de-Cernay. True to the spirit of the founding Summit in Rambouillet in 1975, (…)
European Union: Lille to host the headquarters of the European Union customs authority (25.03.26) Following a joint procedure involving the [European] Parliament and Council, the city of Lille has been chosen to host the headquarters of the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA). France welcomes the decision to set up a new European agency on its territory, in Lille, a city with a deeply rooted customs culture. The new headquarters is destined to play a central role in the ongoing reform of the Customs Union. France repeats that it is fully mobilized when it comes to protecting (…)
International Francophonie Day 2026: French is now the fourth most widely spoken language worldwide (20.03.26) With 396 million speakers, French is one of the now the fourth most widely spoken language. On 20 March, International Francophonie Day is also a celebration of young people, as more than half of French-speakers worldwide are under 30. A growing language According to the latest report of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), French became the fourth most widely spoken language worldwide in 2016, behind English, Mandarin and Spanish. The French language is spoken on (…)
Epstein files - Situation of Fabrice Aidan (24.03.26) On Tuesday 10 February, following the US Department of Justices publication of the files relating to the Epstein case, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs referred the situations of Fabrice Aidan, a French diplomat mentioned in the files, and all other persons implicated in relations with Mr Epstein to the Public Prosecutor at the Paris High Court under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Regarding Fabrice Aidans administrative situation, the Minister also initiated an (…)
Belarus – Release of prisoners (24.03.26) France welcomes the release of 250 prisoners in Belarus, thanks to mediation by the United States. It is the most significant release since the start of this process initiated by Belarus in July 2024. France calls for this momentum to be continued and accelerated, and for political sentences and imprisonments to be halted. It also encourages the Belarusian authorities to continue allowing all the people released to live peacefully in Belarus, and calls on them to allow those who so wish (…)
Conversation between Jean-Noël Barrot and Ilza Amado Vaz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Communities of São Tomé and Príncipe (24.03.26) On March 24, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke by telephone with Dr. Ilza Amado Vaz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Communities of São Tomé and Príncipe. They emphasized both countries shared values and their shared commitment to the respect of international law, effective multilateralism and Francophonie. They also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly on energy and education. In line with France and Gabons 2026 joint (…)
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Ministers meeting with Mr Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Paris, 20 March 2026) M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with Mr Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Paris on 20 March 2026. Thirty years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in Paris, the Minister reaffirmed Frances commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovinas independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and to the whole regions stability. The Minister signalled his support for the prospect of Bosnia and Herzegovinas (…)
G7 statement on support to partners in the Middle East. (21.03.26) We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, express support to our partners in the region in the face of the unjustifiable attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies. We condemn in the strongest terms the regimes reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi (…)
Afghanistan – Air strike on a Kabul hospital (18.03.26) France strongly condemns the March 16th air strike on a Kabul hospital that killed numerous civilians. We express our heartfelt solidarity with the victims and their loved ones, and offer them our condolences. International humanitarian law applies to everyone and must ensure the protection of civilian populations. Humanitarian workers must be guaranteed free access to Afghan territory in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution (…)
Germany – Ministers trip to Berlin (18.03.26) Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot was in Berlin, Germany, on March 17 and 18. This visit, which follows the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels and immediately precedes the European Council meeting, illustrates the close and constant cooperation that exists between France and Germany at the heart of Europe. The Minister addressed the German Cabinet in accordance with the provision contained in the bilateral Aachen Treaty stating that a member of the Government (…)
Cybersecurity – The EU sanctions several private cyber offensive ecosystem actors (March 17, 2026) At the March 16th Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels, member states adopted new listings under the European Union (EU) cyber sanctions regime. Today, the EU is imposing these restrictive measures on the private cyber offensive ecosystem that equips the malicious actors targeting France and Europe. Among the new entities listed are the private Iranian company Emennet Pasargad, which conducted cyberattacks and information manipulation campaigns in France against the newspaper (…)
EU: The Ministers participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (March 17, 2026) Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot took part in the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on March 16 in Brussels. The Ministers began by discussing the evolution and adaptation of Europes security strategy. The Minister took part in a discussion on the consequences of the Middle East crisis for the war in Ukraine, during which the participants reaffirmed the EUs long-term support for Ukraine. The Ministers also met with Indian Minister of External (…)
Joint Statement - Ministers Barrots visit to the Central African Republic (March 16, 2026) Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot paid a working visit to the Central African city of Bangui on March 12 and 13. During his visit to the Central African Republic, he met with Sylvie Notefe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Central African Nationals Abroad. The two Ministers discussed the bilateral relationship between the CAR and France, as well as major regional and international issues of common interest. The two officials also reaffirmed their (…)
Lebanon – Attack on UNIFIL (16 March 2026) France strongly condemns the shots fired several times at soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) yesterday. These attacks from non-state armed groups are unacceptable. France calls on all the parties to show restraint, return to the ceasefire of 26 November 2024 and comply with Security Council Resolution 1701. Hezbollah must end its operations and hand in its weapons. Israel must abandon its ground offensive, end its massive strikes and respect Lebanons (…)