Ukraine – Condemnation of Russian strikes targeting Odesa (July 19, 2023)

France utterly condemns the latest round of Russian missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, which notably targeted Odesa.

These strikes, which deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, including grain silos, are war crimes.

After calling the Black Sea Grain Initiative into question, Russia once again irresponsibly put global food security at risk. France will continue to provide food aid to the countries most vulnerable to food insecurity as a result of the Russian aggression. It will also maintain its support for the Ukrainian courts and the International Criminal Court in their effort to combat impunity for crimes committed by Russia.

North Korea – Missile launches (July 19, 2023)

France utterly condemns North Korea’s July 19th launch of two ballistic missiles, in its latest violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

North Korea’s repeated violations are contributing to rising tensions on the peninsula and in the region and represent a threat to international peace and security.

France urges North Korea to comply without delay with its international obligations and to embark on a process leading to its complete, verifiable, irreversible renunciation of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Together with its partners, France remains fully mobilized in its effort to ensure the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and encourages dialogue among all the parties.

Q&A

Do you have any comment on Fiona Scott Morton’s decision to withdraw from consideration as chief economist at the European Commission?

We took note of today’s announcement by Fiona Scott Norton that she was withdrawing from consideration as chief economist of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition.

Questions raised by France, particularly by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna and Laurence Boone, Minister of State for Europe, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, were not aimed at Professor Scott Morton personally but rather concerned the compatibility of her appointment with the two principles that are central to our concept of the EU: sovereignty and protecting the interests of European businesses and consumers.

In the future, we must consider the advisability of strengthening hiring rules concerning conflicts of interest for the most sensitive, strategic positions at European institutions.