Egypt – Visit by Catherine Colonna (September 13 -14, 2023)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna will be visiting Egypt from September 13 to 14, 2023.

Minister Colonna will meet with the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, and the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Choukry.

The Minister will discuss the consequences of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, in particular regarding global food security, and will review the initiatives taken by France to help the countries that have been hit the hardest by the resulting turbulence on the agricultural markets.

The Minister and the Egyptian leaders will talk about how to provide lasting political solutions to the crises impacting the region, in particular in Sudan, Libya, the Palestinian Territories, and Lebanon.

Following the COP27, which was hosted in Sharm el-Sheik in November 2022, and President Sissi’s participation in the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, which took place in Paris this past June, the Minister and her counterpart will discuss ways for France and Egypt to strengthen cooperation on global issues, in particular funding for the climate transition, in keeping with spirit of the Paris Agenda for People and the Planet.

North Korea – Ballistic missile launch (September 13, 2023)

France condemns North Korea’s launch of two ballistic missiles on September 13, which constitutes a further violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

France assures the Republic of Korea and Japan of its full solidarity. France urges North Korea to immediately cease its destabilizing actions, comply with its international obligations without delay, and return to the negotiating table so that it can engage in a process leading to the complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear and ballistic programs.

France and its partners remain fully committed to ensuring the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and encourage dialogue among all the parties.