Latest news with #Jean-NoëlBarrot
El Chorouk
4 hours ago
- Business
- El Chorouk
The fragmentation of decision-making sources in Paris portends something more dangerous
The words and actions of the French authorities do not entirely align when it comes to relations with Algeria. While both French President Emmanuel Macron and his Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, claim to be keen on relations with Algeria, other French institutions adopt a different approach, leading to doubts about the intentions of decision-makers in Paris. A statement from the Algerian Council of the Nation, headed by Mr. Azzouz Nasseri, addressed to its French counterpart following the latter's repeated provocations towards Algeria, confirmed that the French authorities do not intend to put bilateral relations back on track, as long as there are responsible parties in Paris working to sabotage these relations. When an Algerian stance is issued that sovereignly defends the Algerian state, voices rise in the former colony, condemning what they consider 'Algeria's insult to France,' a famous phrase uttered by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau last January, when an Algerian national was deported outside the laws and diplomatic norms in force between the two countries, which are governed by bilateral agreements. Days after the French Senate received the terrorist fugitive from Algerian justice, Ferhat Mehenni, for the second time in less than a month, some French circles emerged lamenting what they claimed were the pressures faced by the French embassy in Algeria, exactly as happened after Algeria expelled 12 employees from the French embassy in Algiers, in response to the showy arrest of an Algerian consular official in Paris, outside of laws and norms. The French are now talking about pressures they claim their embassy and its annexes in Algeria are facing, in the latest leak from an unnamed French diplomat, reported by Le Monde on Tuesday, June 3, in an article titled: 'The French Embassy in Algeria is under pressure and restriction.' The French newspaper quotes the diplomat as saying: 'The Algerian authorities operate according to verbal notes, according to current diplomatic terms. Messages written by the embassy are sent to one entity, which is the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.' The same source claims: 'During periods of peace in bilateral relations, fax replies only arrived in half of the cases, without anyone knowing whether that was due to bad faith or simply due to local administrative shortcomings, so imagine what that means in times of crisis!' The same source also spoke about the isolation experienced by the embassy's economic center, 'Business France,' which has an office there. It is deprived, the source adds, of official relations, and therefore cannot organize professional meetings or discuss investment projects, while its role is limited to analyzing the development of the Algerian market without any influence on stakeholders, especially in light of economic deterioration and a 21 percent decline in French exports to Algeria in the first quarter of 2025. They also lament the halt of cultural activities affiliated with the embassy, the difficulty of obtaining visas for French artists wishing to perform in Algeria, and the restriction on the French language, through the shift to teaching medicine and pharmacy in English instead of French, and before that, the cessation of police and judicial cooperation between the two countries. However, they ignore the reasons that led to this situation, after the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to Algeria on April 6, which had re-established bridges of communication between the two countries at all levels. The only entity that remained unaffected by the restrictions, according to Le Monde, is the French consulate, which continues to respond to civil status requests, ensure consular protection for French citizens, and process visa applications submitted by individuals, according to the diplomatic source, who warned that this crisis, if it continues, could lead to 'structural effects on the relationship between France and Algeria,' in his words.
Shafaq News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Iran summons French diplomat over Cannes tribute to dissident filmmaker
Shafaq News/ Iran summoned France's chargé d'affaires in Tehran on Sunday in protest over what it described as 'insulting' remarks by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot following the Cannes Film Festival's top prize being awarded to dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi. According to the state-run IRNA news agency, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reacted sharply after Barrot posted criticism of Iran's human rights record on X, following Panahi's receipt of the Palme d'Or for his latest film A Minor Incident. Dans un geste de resistance contre l'oppression du régime iranien, Jafar Panahi emporte une Palme d'Or qui ravive l'espoir pour tous les combattants de la liberté, partout dans le monde. — Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) May 24, 2025 The politically charged film tells the story of a former prisoner who abducts his torturer in a journey that interweaves other victims, blending dark humor with themes of resistance. It was hailed by the jury as a bold act of cinematic defiance. Panahi, known for his frequent clashes with Iranian authorities and past imprisonment, told reporters he intends to return to Iran despite uncertainties. 'Iran is my country,' he said. 'I don't know how to make films anywhere else.' While international critics praised the film as an act of artistic courage, Iranian officials condemned the award as a politicized gesture, adding it to the growing list of diplomatic strains between Tehran and Paris.
Al-Ahram Weekly
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Arab-Islamic delegation urges end to Israel's war on Gaza in Paris talks - Foreign Affairs
An Arab-Islamic ministerial delegation met French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Paris on Friday to discuss international efforts to end Israel's war on Gaza and secure urgent humanitarian aid for the territory's population. The delegation—comprising the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan—called for an immediate halt to Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, describing them in a joint statement as breaches of international and humanitarian law. The talks also focused on advancing a two-state solution in line with international law and preparing for a high-level conference on Palestinian statehood in June at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York. The conference, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, aims to build global support for the two-state solution. The meeting came amid increasing Western criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. On Monday, France, the UK, and Canada warned of 'concrete actions' against Israel if it does not end its renewed offensive and lift restrictions on aid. In April, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to Egypt that France planned to recognize a Palestinian state 'within months', possibly at the upcoming UN conference. Nearly 150 countries already recognize Palestinian statehood. While this grants Palestine observer status at the UN, full membership requires Security Council approval. The Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee was formed at an emergency summit in Gaza in November 2023. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Saudi Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Arab ministerial committee meets French FM to push Gaza ceasefire, two-state solution
Saudi Gazette report PARIS — As part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts mandated by the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit on the developments in Gaza, a delegation from the Arab Ministerial Committee held high-level talks in Paris on Friday with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot. The meeting was led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and included Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Dr. Badr Abdelatty. The discussions took place at the French Foreign Ministry headquarters in the capital. Talks focused on intensifying international efforts to end the war in Gaza and ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave. The ministers also addressed the need for joint action to halt the ongoing violations committed by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and territories—acts deemed to contravene international law and humanitarian conventions. The delegations reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing a just and lasting peace in the region, emphasizing the need for the implementation of the two-state solution in accordance with relevant international resolutions and legal frameworks. Preparations for the upcoming high-level international conference on the two-state solution were also discussed. The conference, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, is scheduled to take place in June at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
LeMonde
22-05-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
French-Israeli relations go even colder as Gaza bombardment continues
A group of foreign diplomats, including a French national, came under fire from Israeli soldiers on Wednesday, May 21, while visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Like Rome and Lisbon, Paris immediately protested, summoning the Israeli ambassador to France on Thursday afternoon. "This is unacceptable," tweeted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, joining other European and United Nations condemnations. The incident, which caused no injuries, added a new source of strain to the already deteriorating relationship between France and Israel. The convoy arrived at the eastern entrance of the Jenin camp. The diplomats were led by the local governor, a representative of the Palestinian Authority. The delegation included representatives from numerous European countries – France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany – as well as Canada, Russia, Turkey and several Arab nations – Egypt, Jordan and Morocco. It was there that the first shots rang out. "There was a first burst, then continuous gunfire. No warning shots. No warning. Just direct fire," recounted a diplomat present at the scene. "The Israeli soldiers were about 15 meters away. They could clearly see they were facing diplomats, in suits, accompanied by officials. And yet, they fired."
