The Local France

France: We must work with Italy to solve diplomatic spat

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 10:43:36 +0200

The French Interior Minister said France and Italy "had to" work together on security issues, two months after a diplomatic spat led to Paris briefly recalling its ambassador.

Recalled French ambassador to return to Italy after diplomatic spat

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 10:20:07 +0100

France's ambassador to Italy is set to return to Rome on Friday after being recalled for a week as a protest, but analysts warn that relations between the two neighbours are likely to remain rocky.

ANALYSIS: What's behind Italy's spat with France?

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:33:46 +0100

With diplomatic ties between France and Italy increasingly tense, some observers have reached for marital metaphors to describe the breakdown in relations between two countries at the heart of the European Union.

Iran snubs French call for missile talks citing 'lack of trust'

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 15:23:36 +0200

Iran rejected France’s call for talks on issues beyond the nuclear dossier on Friday, saying it was impossible so long as Western powers failed to meet existing commitments.

Migrant row between France and Italy caps a history of prickly relations

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:05:02 +0200

A war of words between France and Italy over migrants has set the scene for a testy European summit this week after the latest spat between neighbours who have had complicated relations for centuries.

France and Germany agree to set up eurozone budget

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 10:58:58 +0200

France and Germany have agreed to set up a common budget for the eurozone, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday, announcing a key reform proposal to bolster the bloc.

Austria's leader during France visit: 'Judge us on our actions'

Sat, 13 Jan 2018 08:55:23 +0100

Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz appealed to Europe on Friday to give his conservative-far right coalition a chance, during a visit to France whose President Emmanuel Macron reached office by triumphing over the anti-immigration National Front.

Merkel and Macron to lead diplomatic push at UN climate talks

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 09:41:23 +0100

The leaders of Germany and France will front a diplomatic charge on Wednesday to reinvigorate UN climate talks clouded by Washington's rejection of a planet rescue plan backed by the rest of the world.

Merkel, Macron urge Russia and Ukraine to 'abide by commitments' and back ceasefire

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 11:03:41 +0200

France and Germany on Monday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian opposite number to ensure that a new ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is enforced, warning there has been little let-up in the violence.

Boris Johnson cheered and booed at French Bastille party

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:47:41 +0200

Boris Johnson was cheered and booed at the French ambassador's Bastille Day party in London on Thursday, his first engagement as Britain's surprise new foreign secretary.

Hollande and Merkel mark centenary of Battle of Verdun

Sun, 29 May 2016 17:43:46 +0200

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel stood shoulder to shoulder Sunday to mark the centenary of Verdun, one of the bloodiest battles of World War I.

Iran MPs accuse Fabius of backing Israel in talks

Sun, 10 Nov 2013 10:44:00 +0100

Two senior Iranian MPs accused French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Saturday of defending Israel, which objects to world powers reaching a deal with Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme.

France 'ready to work' with new Iran president

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:39:00 +0200

France on Saturday acknowledged the election of moderate cleric Hassan Rowhani as Iran's new president, saying it was "ready to work" with him on issues ranging from Tehran's nuclear drive to the Syria conflict.

Hollande in Morocco to strengthen ties

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:42:00 +0200

President François Hollande has arrived in Morocco amid an explosive tax fraud scandal in France that has overshadowed his landmark two-day visit to the former French colony.

French expats in Central Africa voice fears

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:23:00 +0100

Foreigners said Thursday they feared a spiral of looting and violence as rebels advance on the capital of the Central African Republic, wracked by turmoil since independence from France in 1960.

Hollande: no French troops to Central Africa

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:03:00 +0100

President François Hollande said on Thursday that French troops would not interfere in the internal affairs of its former colony the Central African Republic, where rebels have seized a large chunk of territory in recent weeks.

French Embassy under attack in former colony

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:06:21 +0100

Angry demonstrators hurled projectiles and tore down the French flag at France's embassy in the Central African Republic capital Bangui on Wednesday, protesting at a lack of help to deter rebels who have occupied a large swathe of the country.

Hollande: I'm not here to say sorry

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:39:13 +0100

French President François Hollande said on a landmark visit to Algeria on Wednesday he had not come to say sorry for crimes committed during colonial rule, but he sought to begin a new era in relations.

Hollande hopes to leave past behind in Algeria

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:03:00 +0100

President François Hollande arrives in Algeria on Wednesday seeking to end simmering resentment over French colonial rule and bolster ties with the OPEC country.

Bahrain envoy hits back over maid sex claims

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:58:00 +0200

Bahrain's ambassador to France on Wednesday denied "unfounded allegations" he had groped a former domestic worker in his exclusive Paris residence.