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Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, on December 1 as France begins a cultural season devoted to Ukraine.
The Minister reaffirmed France's determination to stand with Ukraine and to support it until a just and lasting peace is signed. The two ministers reiterated their support for U.S. efforts to end the war. They emphasized that any solution must fully involve Ukraine, preserve Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial (…)

France extends its condolences to the families and close friends of the victims of Cyclone Ditwah, which has hit Sri Lanka.
At this difficult time, France reiterates its wholehearted solidarity with the Sri Lankan people and Government.
The French Embassy in Colombo is fully mobilized alongside the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the safety of our compatriots in the country.

On this World AIDS Day, France – a longtime contributor to Unitaid and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria – reaffirms its absolute commitment to end the epidemic by 2030.
Major progress was made in 2024. Thanks to the French contribution to the Global Fund, 2.56 million people were able to receive treatment for HIV. That same year, an additional 80,000 people benefited from the Expertise France agency's work in the area of HIV prevention and detection through projects (…)

France condemns Russia's targeting of journalists as part of its war of aggression against Ukraine. The number of drone attacks is increasing, making the land even more dangerous, even impassable. It is these Russian tactics that killed Antoni Lallican, a French journalist and photographer, in October as he carried out his job during a Russian drone attack. France salutes Antoni Lallican's memory and renews its tribute to all those who have been killed on assignment and paid with their lives (…)

We – France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom – strongly condemn the massive increase of settler violence against Palestinian civilians and call for stability in the West Bank. Destabilising activity risks undermining the success of the 20 Point Plan for Gaza and prospects for long-term peace and security.
The number of attacks has reached new heights, with 264 attacks in October according to OCHA, the largest number of settlers' attacks in a single month since the United Nations began (…)

We were deeply shocked to learn the news of the tragic fire that struck a housing complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday 26 November, killing many people.
France extends its condolences to the victims' families and close friends. It wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
France stands foursquare behind the people of Hong Kong in this ordeal.

M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mr Abbas Araghchi, in Paris today, Wednesday 26 November 2025.
The Minister talked about the situation of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris and emphasized the need for our two nationals, who are currently at the French Embassy in Tehran, to return to France as soon as possible.
The Minister reiterated the deep concern of France and its partners regarding the Iranian nuclear programme. He (…)

This morning at UNESCO, Éléonore Caroit, the Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, opened the first meeting bringing together the authors of the global assessment issued by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). This platform would enable us to draft a new status review on global biodiversity loss by 2028 and to call on States to step up their conservation efforts.
Addressing the (…)

The COP30 climate summit ended on November 22 in Belém, Brazil. Despite the Brazilian presidency's tireless efforts and leadership, it concluded with the adoption of a watered down agreement.
France regrets the final text's lack of ambition toward the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 80 countries have not yet submitted their climate action plans in accordance with the Paris Agreement. The combined plans presented in Belém fail to put us on a trajectory that would limit climate (…)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot met today with Christopher Skeete, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie for Quebec, during Mr. Skeete's first official visit to France after taking up his duties.
The Minister reaffirmed France's strong commitment to its special, direct relationship with Quebec. France and Quebec share a history, language and values, and have extensive personal, political and economic ties.
The Ministers discussed opportunities for (…)