US-France agreed to remain in close contact on Afghanistan

F.P. Report

WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris on Monday. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Le Drian agreed to close consultations, as President Biden and French President Macron agreed in their September 22 phone call.

They also agreed to remain in close contact on Afghanistan and discussed the importance of holding the Taliban to its commitments. They discussed areas of cooperation and close coordination, including in the Indo-Pacific and the Sahel region.

Both highlighted the importance of U.S.-EU cooperation during France’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, strengthening the NATO Alliance, U.S. support for European security, the climate crisis, and the need for success at COP26.

Similarly, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met French Diplomatic Advisor to the President Emmanuel Bonne today in Paris. Secretary Blinken and Ambassador Bonne noted the productive phone call between President Biden and French President Macron on September 22 and discussed the way forward in the U.S.-French bilateral relationship. They discussed cooperation on key strategic security areas, including in the Indo-Pacific, the Sahel region, and Afghanistan. They also discussed enhancing the U.S.-EU relationship, including during France’s upcoming EU presidency, the NATO Alliance, and U.S. support for European security.

Secretary Blinken also had the opportunity to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron after his meeting with Ambassador Bonne. Secretary Blinken and President Macron discussed steps forward in U.S.-French relations, areas of continued close cooperation, and looked forward to President Macron’s upcoming meeting with President Biden.