Burkina Faso
Expulsion of French diplomats (April 18, 2024)

France regrets Burkina Faso’s decision to move ahead with the expulsion of French diplomats and staffers, some of whom were serving at the Embassy of France in Burkina Faso. We reject the Burkinabe authorities’ baseless accusations against our employees.

France applauds the commitment and consummate professionalism of the diplomats and staffers at our embassy in Ouagadougou, whose work is fully consistent with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations. There were no legitimate grounds for the Burkinabe authorities’ decision. We can only deplore it.

Ukraine
France condemns Russian strikes against the city of Chernihiv (April 17, 2024)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian missile strikes that targeted civilian infrastructure yesterday in the city of Chernihiv, killing 18 people and injuring 77, according to the latest reports by the Ukrainian authorities.

These strikes are yet another violation of international law by Russia, which is relentlessly pursuing its strategy of intimidation against Ukraine and its supporters, with total disregard for the lives of Ukrainian civilians. After its massive strikes against the country’s energy infrastructure, Russia cynically continues to target civilian objectives in order to undermine cohesion in Ukraine. It must be held accountable for all of its actions by the international courts.

As European leaders reiterated at the special European Council meeting, it is essential to ensure that Russia does not prevail in its war of aggression against Ukraine. France will therefore continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to ensure its legitimate defense through European channels, and we will also continue to provide it with military aid on a bilateral basis, in keeping with the commitments set forth in the February 16th agreement on security cooperation signed by President Macron and President Zelenskyy. France, which pledged at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano to support the reconstruction of the Chernihiv region, will also continue to provide this region with recovery and reconstruction assistance.

Georgia
“Transparency of Foreign Influence” bill (April 18, 2024)

France, along with the European Union, is concerned by the Georgian parliament’s approval of an early draft of the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” bill on April 17. This initiative runs counter to the EU’s founding values. Accusations of interference against the EU are unacceptable.

France calls on the Georgian authorities to focus on the immediate implementation of all the measures that are necessary in order for Georgia to continue moving toward EU membership, which the Georgian people overwhelmingly support. France stands with Georgia in this challenging endeavor.