North Korea – Missile launches (Mar. 28, 2023)

France condemns North Korea’s launch of short-range ballistic missiles on March 27 in flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions. France is also deeply concerned by the North Korean leader’s renewed call to accelerate North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, which he issued during his tour of a facility that was described as a storage site for tactical nuclear warheads.

North Korea’s many provocations are contributing to growing tensions on the peninsula and in the region and represent a threat to international peace and security.

France once again urges North Korea to comply with its international obligations, to return to the negotiating table in response to offers of dialogue, and to immediately end its destabilizing actions.

We emphasize our determination to work with our partners toward the goal of North Korea’s complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization and to encourage dialogue among all the parties.

U.S. – Nashville shooting (Mar. 28, 2023)

France was deeply saddened by yesterday’s school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.

Our thoughts go out to the victims’ families, to whom we offer our condolences.

France stands with the United States at this difficult time.

Afghanistan – France condemns the arrest of the founder of a girls’ school (Mar. 28, 2023)

France condemns the Taliban’s March 27th arrest of Matiullah Wesa, the head of the Pen Path organization and an advocate for girls’ education, and calls for his immediate release. We support the efforts made in this regard by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

This decision follows the Taliban’s many violations of basic rights and freedoms for girls and women, who have been banned from attending secondary school for more than a year and from entering universities.

France reiterates its unwavering commitment to the freedom of speech, the universal right to education, and to defending the rights of girls and women. No society can develop in a positive way while denying the rights of women.