China backs multilateralism initiative
China is supporting a move by France and Germany to launch an Alliance for Multilateralism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Monday, stressing that Beijing backs any effort to promote global cooperation. “China has always been a firm defender, supporter and practitioner of multilateralism,” Lu said. He added that the world needs multilateralism […]
UN Security Council: Germany, France share presidency
Germany is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. From the beginning of April, it officially takes over the chair — as part of a “dual presidency” with France. What is a “dual presidency?” Germany and France are both currently serving on the UN Security Council. France has a permanent […]
France defends Iran nuclear deal, Trump to decide soon
France made a fresh plea on Monday for the United States to preserve the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and suggested its provisions expiring after a decade could be strengthened, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would decide on the matter soon.The pact between Tehran and six world powers, which calls for Iran to curb […]
France to propose new peace plan
France is expected to propose a new plan for a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA), an official in Paris said Saturday night. The comments came ahead of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s trip to France, where he will mark the 75th anniversary of the Vel d’Hiv roundup, where more than 13,000 […]
France calls on Israel to reconsider construction plans for settlements in east Jerusalem
France called on Israeli authorities to reconsider the recently granted approval of construction plans for more than 1,500 housing units in settlements in East Jerusalem. According to a statement by France’s foreign ministry, the French government is also very concerned by information reporting additional plans that could be approved in the coming days, claiming […]
With threat ‘very high’, France set to extend state of emergency
Paris (AFP) – President Emmanuel Macron wants a sixth extension of France’s state of emergency since the Paris attacks of November 2015, his prime minister said Wednesday, adding that the terror threat “remains very high”. The new president, elected on May 7, also wants legislation to bolster the powers of the security forces, Prime Minister […]
Merkel and Macron agree to draw up roadmap to deeper EU integration
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and new French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on Monday to draw up a roadmap to deeper European Union integration and opened the door to changing the bloc’s treaties to facilitate ambitious reform. A day after Macron’s inauguration, the two leaders struck a consensual tone in Berlin after talks in which they […]
France’s Macron calls for ‘historic reconstruction’ of Europe
France’s new president, Emmanuel Macron, has called for a “historic reconstruction” of Europe, saying it is “the only reaction” to fight populism. Speaking in Berlin on the first full day of his presidency, he was joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She said the pair had a “joint conviction” that they needed to “deepen the […]
FRANCE: Emmanuel Macron plays EU ANTHEM after French election victory
In the past French politicians have announced their victory to the sound of La Marseillaise, which has stood as their anthem for hundreds of years. But Mr Macron, who has gained support from major European figures including Jean-Claude Juncker and Angela Merkel, instead blasted the anthem of Europe ‘Ode to Joy’ from the speakers as […]
French Election: Centrist Emmanuel Macron Wins Presidency Over Marine Le Pen
Centrist politician Emmanuel Macron won the French presidential election on Sunday over far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. At 39, Macron will be France’s youngest leader since Napoleon Bonaparte. “I called Emmanuel Macron tonight to congratulate him warmly on his election as President of the Republic,” current President Francois Hollande said in a statement. Hollande said […]