Official speeches and statements - March 27, 2020

1. Russia - Statement by Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Paris - March 27, 2020)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, spoke to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, about the situation of French nationals visiting Russia, the day after Russia announced the closure of its foreign air links from March 27 onwards, in the context of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.

The two ministers agreed to establish cooperation to facilitate, firstly, the return of French nationals visiting Russia and Russian nationals visiting France and, secondly, flights over Russian airspace by planes bringing home French nationals who were visiting Asia.

This cooperation will be implemented in the next few days. The two ministers agreed to remain in contact to monitor developments in the health situation and the situation of their respective nationals.