France Calls on U.S. to Withdraw Measures Targeting ICC
France said on Friday that a U.S. decision to impose sanctions against employees of the International Criminal Court is an attack on states party to the Rome Statute and called on the U.S. to withdraw those measures. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement that the U.S. decision risks putting into question […]
France pushing for tough EU response to any West Bank annexation
France is urging its European Union partners to consider threatening Israel with a tough response if it goes ahead with a de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, three EU diplomats said. Belgium, Ireland, and Luxembourg also want to discuss the possibility of punitive economic measures during a foreign ministers’ meeting on Friday, the […]
France, Italy and Spain prepare to ease coronavirus lockdowns
France, Italy and Spain are preparing to loosen coronavirus restrictions, with other countries watching closely to see how some of the first and hardest-hit countries in Europe might safely emerge from their crippling lockdowns. After the US, where the number of infections is heading towards the 1m mark, with more than 53,000 deaths, the three […]
EU To Shut Borders As France, Germany Tighten Restrictions To Control Coronavirus
With the number of coronavirus cases pushing past 180,000 worldwide, the European Union proposed the closure of its external borders for 30 days in a move to contain the spread of the pandemic, while Germany and France, among the hardest-hit countries in the region, imposed new restrictions on their citizens aimed at increasing social distancing. […]
Coronavirus: Spain and France announce sweeping restrictions
Two of the EU’s biggest states, Spain and France, have followed Italy in announcing emergency restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus. In Spain, people are banned from leaving home except for buying essential supplies and medicines, or for work. With 191 deaths, Spain is Europe’s worst-hit country after Italy. In France, where 91 […]
Abbas asks France to recognize ‘Palestine’
Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday met French President Emmanuel Macron in Ramallah to discuss the latest developments in the peace process and regional affairs, the Xinhua news agency reports. During the meeting, Abbas expressed hope that France will recognize a Palestinian state. Abbas highlighted France’s role in “saving the political process from […]
The Latest: French president sends adviser to Iran for talks
The Latest on U.S.-Iran tensions French President Emmanuel Macron is sending his chief diplomatic adviser to Iran following its decision enrich uranium beyond the threshold of the 2015 nuclear accord. The Elysee Palace said Monday that Emmanuel Bonne was returning on Tuesday to Tehran. He had made a day-long visit last month in a bid […]
Sanctions on Russia can be lifted ‘at any time’
Even as both the EU and Russia renewed sanctions against each other, the French prime minister argued the measures are not permanent and could be removed swiftly, in a possible signal to Washington. “We know that sanctions are not a permanent regime, but a state that can be canceled at any time,” PM Eduard Philippe […]
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 […]