About: Jean-Yves Le Drian

Iran’s Zarif makes surprise visit to G7 summit

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif flew into Biarritz in southwestern France for the G7 summit on Sunday (25 August) in a surprise attempt to break a diplomatic deadlock over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

France, Italy, Denmark back European-led naval mission for Hormuz

France, Italy and Denmark gave initial support for a British plan for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, proposed after Iran’s seizure of a British-flagged tanker, three senior EU diplomats said on Tuesday (23 July).

EU, France, Germany and UK urge Iran to reverse uranium decision

The diplomatic chiefs of the EU, France, Germany and Britain said Tuesday (2 July) they were "extremely concerned" and urged Iran to reverse its decision to breach a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal.

Europe rejects US escalation strategy against Iran

Europe on Monday (13 May) urged the US not to further escalate tensions over the Iran nuclear deal, with Britain issuing a stark warning of the risk of conflict erupting "by accident" in the Gulf.

China puts gentler face on Belt and Road, hits back at critics

China sought to put a gentler face on its massive plan to recreate the old Silk Road at a summit that ended on Saturday (27 April), saying it must do more to explain the programme and boost sustainability even as state media hit back at critics.

EU ministers pile pressure on Haftar to halt Libya offensive

EU foreign ministers on Saturday upped pressure on Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar to halt his offensive on Tripoli, urging the strongman to commit to a political solution. The issue is expected to be discussed again at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday (8 April).

France, Spain condemn Venezuela’s expulsion of EU fact-finding team

The foreign ministers of France and Spain condemned on Monday (18 February) the Venezuelan government's decision to expel a group of EU lawmakers who had travelled there on a fact-finding mission and wanted to meet with the self-appointed but widely recognised interim president. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.

Demands for ‘more Europe in NATO’ as leaders gather for Munich Security Conference

Demands for a stronger EU and foreign policy, more commitments to NATO and concerns over Russia’s assertiveness were the leitmotifs as the 55th Munich Security Conference kicked off on Friday (15 February).

French foreign minister: We no longer want to pay for Poland and Hungary

France does not want to finance a populist Europe, the country's foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has indicated, just as the fight over the EU's new long-term budget begins in earnest. EURACTIV Poland's media partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.

Germany, France voice cautious hope on reviving Ukraine peace process

Germany and France voiced cautious optimism Monday that Russia and Ukraine will take steps to revive the long-stalled peace process in the smouldering Ukraine war that has claimed 10,000 lives.

France to intensify efforts to end Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

France plans to intensify efforts to find a solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said.

Europe offers no guarantees but vows to keep Iran deal alive

European powers vowed to keep the 2015 nuclear deal alive without the United States by trying to keep Iran's oil and investment flowing, but admitted they would struggle to provide the guarantees Tehran seeks.

France says June is ‘ultimate deadline’ for Brexit progress on Irish border

A June summit of European Union leaders is the "ultimate deadline" to make progress on issues related to Northern Ireland's border, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Sunday (13 May).

France calls urgent UN meeting over Libya slavery

France on Wednesday (22 November) called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over slave-trading in Libya as President Emmanuel Macron blasted the auctioning of Africans as a crime against humanity.

France says Venezuela talks to take place, warns of sanctions

Venezuela's government and opposition will hold a round of talks in the Dominican Republic today (13 September), France's foreign minister said yesterday, warning Caracas that it risked EU sanctions if it failed to engage in negotiations.

Western Mediterranean countries plead for increased NATO presence

Defence ministers from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain have called on NATO to increase its presence in their part of the world. Euractiv Spain reports.

EU tools up for cyber war

As the member states rapidly progress in their own personal cyber arms race, the bloc’s institutions risk being left behind. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU to train Libyan coast guard to fight refugee smuggling

The European Union agreed yesterday (23 May) to broaden the mandate of its naval mission to combat refugee smuggling off Libya by agreeing to train the Libyan coast guard and navy.

EU readies for massive migration flows from Libya

EU leaders will discuss the critical situation in Libya and potential waves of immigrants trying to reach Europe on 18 April, EURACTIV Greece has been informed.

800,000 migrants in Libya seeking to come to Europe: French minister

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said today (24 April) that some 800,000 migrants are in Libya hoping to cross to Europe.

National Front’s record scores a ‘defeat for all’

The extreme right party collected 6.8 million votes in Sunday's regional elections (13 December). With 27.39% of all votes cast, it beat its performance in the 2014 European elections by 2%. EURACTIV France reports. 

France and Russia fight as allies in Syria

France and Russia bombed Islamic State targets in Syria yesterday (17 November), punishing the group for attacks in Paris and against a Russian airliner that together killed 353 people, and made the first tentative steps toward a possible military alliance.

EU ‘unanimous’ in agreeing French treaty-call for help after attacks

All 28 EU member states have unanimously backed France’s call for “aid and assistance” following the Paris terror attacks, the bloc’s foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said Tuesday (17 November).

Germany to send troops to Ukraine

Germany plans to deploy Bundeswehr troops in a joint Franco-German mission to support an OSCE-brokered ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, government sources said, with Social Democrats calling for a mandate from the Bundestag and the Left Party condemning the move “for historical reasons”. EURACTIV Germany reports.