Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke by phone on November 29 with his Canadian counterpart, François-Philippe Champagne.

The two ministers discussed our priorities and pending bilateral issues following the recent conversation between President Macron and the Canadian Prime Minister.

In light of the recent U.S. election, the minister addressed the need to define a new transatlantic relationship and major areas of focus likely to contribute to it, including the revival of multilateralism to meet such global challenges as the fight against Covid-19 and climate change.

Looking ahead to the NATO foreign ministers meeting on December 1 and 2, the minister underscored the importance of cohesion within the Alliance and measures that could be taken to strengthen it.

The two ministers also discussed the situation in the Sahel and efforts under way within the International Coalition for the Sahel.

Luxembourg – Conversation between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Luxembourg counterpart (Noember 30, 2020)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian is meeting today with Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's foreign minister. This working visit is in line with the special relationship between France and Luxembourg.

The minister will express France's support for enhancing bilateral and cross-border cooperation with Luxembourg and will offer backing for our shared desire to implement a true regional co-development policy. During the first wave of the Covid-19 epidemic, our two countries kept their common borders open for 104,000 French cross-border workers, among others. The feeling of interdependence and heightened solidarity was strengthened.

Mr. Le Drian will express France's desire to continue a fruitful dialogue with Luxembourg on major international and European issues ranging from the Middle East to transatlantic relations, from our common commitment in Africa to the management of migratory challenges and the overhaul of the Schengen space, from post-Brexit negotiations to the European recovery plan.

Armenia – Visit by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne as part of the French humanitarian operation (Yerevan - November 27 and 28, 2020)

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visited Yerevan on November 17 and 28 accompanied by Kristina Aznavour, CEO of the Aznavour Foundation, and. Youri Djorkaeff, whom President Macron appointed to mobilize French aid for Armenia.

This visit was in line with the humanitarian effort instituted by President Macron and Foreign Minister Le Drian for the population affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and was coordinated by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' Crisis and Support Center.

The delegation led by the Minister of State arrived aboard an aircraft leased by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs that carried donations collected by the Aznavour Foundation and humanitarian cargo supplied by humanitarian organizations and corporate foundations. This flight followed an initial cargo flight that arrived in Yerevan on November 22 carrying official donations of emergency medical equipment, including a Mobile Medical Station capable of serving 500 people, blankets, and hygiene kits. Mr. Lemoyne delivered these donations in the presence of Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan. He visited sites that receive French aid, including two hospitals that care for seriously wounded patients and a city hall that welcomes people who had to flee the conflict.

Mr. Lemoyne was hosted by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan. He assured his interlocutors of France's determination to work actively in support of a negotiated settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in its capacity as Co-Chair of the Minsk Group. He was also welcomed at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, to whom he reaffirmed France's commitment to protecting the historic and religious heritage of the region, on which it works with UNESCO.

Spain – Visit to Spain by Clément Beaune (November 30, 2020)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is in Madrid today for a working visit.

He will speak with his counterpart, Juan Gonzalez Barba, about pending European issues, notably the EU response to the health crisis, the implementation of the recovery plan, strengthening the EU's external borders and governance of the Schengen space, as well as the fight against terrorism.

Mr. Beaune will be welcomed by Nadia Calviño, Spain's Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Business, to discuss key EU issues such as the necessary ecological and digital transitions, strengthening strategic autonomy and the resilience of European economies, and Social Europe.

In Madrid, the Minister of State will visit the Guardia Civil's National Coordination Center for Coastal and Border Maritime Surveillance (CECORVIGMAR) which coordinates Spanish activities on illegal immigration, drug trafficking and marine pollution. He will attend a round table, "Europe beyond Covid," which will be livestreamed on November 30 starting at 3:30 PM by its organizer, the Elcano Royal Institute.

During his visit, Mr. Beaune will also remind his interlocutors of the dynamism of French-Spanish relations, which are characterized by very strongly shared views.

Nigeria – Attack against civilians (November 28, 2020)

France utterly condemns the murder of a large number of civilians during an attack carried out on November 28 in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria.

France reaffirms its support for the Nigerian authorities and the other countries in the Lake Chad basin in their efforts to combat terrorism and promote the region's stabilization.

Indonesia – Attack against civilians (November 27, 2020)

France utterly condemns the attack carried out in Lemban Tongoa, in Central Sulawesi, on November 27, which left at least four people dead.

It extends its condolences to the bereaved. The perpetrators of this attack must be identified and brought to justice.

France stands alongside its Indonesian partners in the fight against terrorism.

Iran

What is France's response to the killing of Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on Friday?
What is your response following the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh?

We have taken note with concern of the attack which claimed the life of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. In a context of regional tensions, we are closely monitoring its repercussions in Iran and the region.

We are calling for restraint in order to keep the channels of dialogue and negotiation open. In this context, we reiterate our calls for efforts to avoid an escalation of tensions.

China – Australia

What is your response following the publication by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson of a tweet showing a photo montage of a soldier wearing the Australian Special Forces uniform in Afghanistan, described by the Australian prime minister as disgusting?

We have taken note of the tweet you are describing. We believe that the tweet concerned is not worthy of the methods to be expected of the foreign ministry of a country like China. The image published is especially shocking and the comments are biased and insulting for all countries whose armed forces are currently engaged in Afghanistan or have been engaged there in the past almost-20 years.