Latest news with #JeanNoëlBarrot
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Continued Ukraine-Russia negotiations are vital for lasting peace, US state secretary says
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasised the importance of ongoing direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to achieve a lasting peace, during a discussion with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Source: State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce Quote: "Secretary Rubio underscored the importance of continued direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace." Rubio and Barrot also discussed the situation in the Middle East, including US support for Israel's efforts against Hamas and measures to prevent Iran from developing or obtaining nuclear weapons. Background: Following a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on Monday 2 June, the parties have reached an agreement on the next prisoner exchange, which will involve seriously wounded and young soldiers. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
France pushes for peace in the Caucasus amid heat over Iran detainees
In a week of high-level diplomacy amid underlying tensions, France has been advocating for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while reaffirming its position on Iran's detention of two French nationals. During a visit to the Armenian capital Yerevan last Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made an impassioned call for Armenia and Azerbaijan to "quickly" finalise and sign a long-awaited peace treaty. The two neighbours – long at odds over the contested Karabakh region – appeared on the cusp of reconciliation in March when they agreed on a draft deal. However, negotiations have since stalled, with Azerbaijan demanding constitutional amendments from Armenia before signing the agreement. Speaking alongside his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Barrot said: "It is essential that this treaty be signed." His words underscored France's deepening engagement in the South Caucasus, where global powers – including Russia, the European Union, the United States and Turkey – vie for influence. Armenia signs arms contract with France amid boost in military ties Barrot hailed the release as 'the honour and pride of French diplomacy". Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:France summons Azerbaijan ambassador over President Aliyev's 'unacceptable' remarks at Cop29Growing military buildup in Azerbaijan and Armenia a concern for peace talksParis Perspective #41: France, the Caucasus, and Nagorno-Karabakh – Richard Giragosian
The Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
French artist imprisoned in Azerbaijan due to graffiti is freed after 14 months
A French street artist who had been sentenced to three years in prison in Azerbaijan for painting a graffiti in the metro has been pardoned and freed, French authorities said Tuesday. Théo Clerc has returned to France following 422 days in detention after he was pardoned by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told lawmakers. "It is the honor and pride of French diplomacy and its representatives to have worked tirelessly for his release,' Barrot said. French authorities had complained in September that Clerc was submitted to 'discriminatory treatment," because two codefendants who were accused of the same offense but who were not French were only fined. France previously has advised its citizens against traveling to Azerbaijan because of a lack of legal protections and the risk of 'arbitrary detention and unfair sentencing."
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
French artist imprisoned in Azerbaijan due to graffiti is freed after 14 months
PARIS (AP) — A French street artist who had been sentenced to three years in prison in Azerbaijan for painting a graffiti in the metro has been pardoned and freed, French authorities said Tuesday. Théo Clerc has returned to France following 422 days in detention after he was pardoned by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told lawmakers. 'It is the honor and pride of French diplomacy and its representatives to have worked tirelessly for his release,' Barrot said. French authorities had complained in September that Clerc was submitted to 'discriminatory treatment,' because two codefendants who were accused of the same offense but who were not French were only fined. France previously has advised its citizens against traveling to Azerbaijan because of a lack of legal protections and the risk of 'arbitrary detention and unfair sentencing.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iran summons French envoy over 'insulting' Cannes remarks
Iran summoned France's envoy in Tehran to protest against "insulting" remarks made by the French foreign minister after an Iranian filmmaker won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the prestigious Palme d'Or for his film It Was Just an Accident on Saturday, a political drama inspired by his time in prison. Following the win, French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Panahi's win was "a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime's oppression". This sparked a diplomatic row, with Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Mohammad Tanhaei calling the comments "insulting remarks and unfounded allegations", state media reported. During the meeting with the French envoy, Tanhaei called Barrot's comments "blatant interference" in the country's internal affairs, according to the same report from Iran's PressTV. He described the congratulatory message as "irresponsible and provocative", adding that France had "no moral authority at all" to comment on Iran, citing what he called France's failure to support Palestinians in Gaza. He demanded an official explanation from the French government, and the envoy said he would relay the message to Paris. Panahi has been in and out of prison in recent years for his outspoken criticism of the Iranian establishment. He spent seven months of a six-year sentence in jail before being released in February 2023. He had previously been sentenced to six years in 2010 for supporting anti-government protests and creating "propaganda against the system", serving two months on that occasion. As well as his jail terms, he was given a 20-year ban on making movies and travelling outside his own country. Despite this, he filmed It Was Just An Accident, in secret in Iran. The film follows five ordinary Iranians as they confront a man they believe tortured them in jail - characters drawn from conversations Panahi had with fellow inmates about "the violence and brutality of the Iranian government". During his acceptance speech, he urged fellow Iranians to "join forces". "No-one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do, or what we should not do." Soon after the ceremony, his first appearance at an international film festival in 15 years, he told reporters he would be returning to Tehran. "As soon as I finish my work here I will go back to Iran," he told reporters in Cannes. "And I will ask myself what's my next film going to be."
