Paris, 6 October 2021 (TDI): US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is visiting Paris this week to attend OECD Ministerial Conference. On the sidelines of the OECD Conference, Secretary Blinken also met with French officials to smooth US-French ties after the diplomatic spat over AUKUS.
During his visit, Secretary Blinken met with the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and French Diplomatic Advisor to President Emmanuel Bonne. Secretary Blinken also had the chance of meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with French Foreign Minister
During the meeting, US State Secretary Antony Blinken and the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian agreed on close collaboration on the Afghanistan issue, Sahel and, Indo-Pacific regions.
Both the officials also highlighted the vitality of EU-US cooperation especially at a time of France’s upcoming presidency of the EU Council.
Other areas of cooperation underlined during their meeting were the US support for European security, Strengthening NATO, achieving success at COP26, and addressing the climate crisis.
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with the French Diplomatic Advisor
Secretary Blinken also met with the French Diplomatic Advisor to President Emmanuel Bonne.
Both the officials deliberated over the way forward in bilateral US-French relations. The key contours of their meeting included areas of cooperation namely Afghanistan, the Sahel and the Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting, Secretary Blinken emphasized US-EU cooperation especially during the French Presidency of the EU council.
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with the French President
After the meeting with the French diplomatic advisor, Secretary Blinken met with the French President Emmanuel Macron. This was a non-scheduled meeting that lasted for 40 minutes.
During the meeting, Secretary Blinken and French President Macron discussed their way forward and President Macron’s upcoming meeting with US President Joe Biden.
