About: Jean-Yves Le Drian
African countries deem EU carbon border levy ‘protectionist’
Some African countries consider the EU's planned carbon border levy to be "protectionist". That was the upshot of a conference organised by the French government on Tuesday (23 March), which examined the challenges posed by the EU's upcoming mechanism. EURACTIV France reports.
Turkey has stopped insulting us but action still needed, France says
Turkey has stopped insulting France and the European Union, providing some reassurance, but ties will remain fragile until it takes concrete action, France's foreign minister said.
Europe to meet US on Iran as nuclear deadline looms
Top diplomats from European powers and the United States will hold talks on Thursday (18 February) to see how to revive the 2015 deal on Iran's nuclear drive, days ahead of a deadline set by Tehran.
France suggests pause on ‘poisonous’ US-EU trade standoff
The European Union and the US should "pause" a long-running tariff disagreement to allow the issue to be resolved, France's foreign minister suggested Sunday (17 January).
Margin for compromise limited as Brexit talks go down to wire
European diplomats warned Thursday (3 December) they have made all the concessions they can in trade talks with Britain, as Downing Street vowed to press ahead with a UK law that could undermine Brussels' remaining trust in London.
France’s ‘feminist diplomacy’: lots of talk, little action
The term 'feminist diplomacy' used by France since 2018 remains unclear, according to a report by the country's High Council on Gender Equality presented to the government on 18 November. EURACTIV France reports.
France says Turkey’s ‘soothing declarations’ not good enough
France said Sunday (22 November) it expects Turkey to de-escalate international tension with actions instead of words ahead of an EU decision on possible further sanctions against Ankara.
France and Germany tell Turkey to stop provocations
France and Germany accused Turkey on Thursday (15 October) of continuing to provoke the European Union with its actions in the eastern Mediterranean, and urged it to clarify its positions in the coming weeks.
Half Karabakh population displaced as mediators set for Geneva talks
Clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have displaced half of the population of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, an official said on Wednesday (7 October) as international mediators were set to hold their first meeting in Geneva.
France leads criticism of US ‘attack’ on ICC
France led criticism of US sanctions on the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Thursday (3 September), saying Washington had launched a "serious attack" on the global body.
‘Unrealistic’ UK has caused post-Brexit trade impasse, says France
Talks on a post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and the UK have stalled "because of the UK's uncompromising and, to be frank, unrealistic attitude" France’s Foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned on Monday (31 August).
France says virus exacerbating global diplomatic rift
The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating diplomatic "fractures", heightening US-China rivalry and weakening multilateralism, France's foreign minister said in an interview published on Monday (20 April).
EU willing to maintain Iran nuclear deal, risking rift with the US
With the prospects of a potential US-Iran war fading, EU foreign minister during an emergency session on Friday (10 January), said they are willing to maintain the Iran nuclear deal as long as Tehran fulfils its commitments in order to achieve it.
Europeans brace for fallout from Soleimani killing
Fearing the fallout from the killing of Iran's General Soleimani, Europeans on Sunday (5 January) called to de-escalate the crisis which threatens to collapse the landmark 2015 nuclear deal and puts NATO's training mission in Iraq in jeopardy.
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.