European Union – Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers on 29 and 30 August 2025 (1 September 2025)

M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, participated in the informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (the so-called Gymnich) in Copenhagen on 29 and 30 August, organized by the Danish presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Minister reiterated France’s solidarity with Denmark and Greenland and its commitment to respect for international law and the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.

This informal meeting of the Council provided an opportunity for Member States’ representatives to talk about the situation in Ukraine and the support Europe is providing to Kyiv. Among other things, France called for close coordination to be maintained between Europeans to support the future negotiations and ensure robust security guarantees for Ukraine. The Minister also invited the Member States to step up pressure on Russia and its supporters, in particular through the adoption of a 19th European sanctions package.

The meeting also allowed us to discuss the situation in the Middle East. The Minister called for an immediate, united reaction from Europeans in response to the marked deterioration in the situation in the Palestinian Territories, including the United Nations’ official announcement of the famine in Gaza Governorate, which must encourage us to use all leverage that can be mobilized vis-à-vis Israel to stop the violations of international humanitarian law. At the same time, France called for pressure to be maintained on Hamas, which must be disarmed and excluded from the governance of Gaza.

Regarding the situation in Iran, the Minister indicated that the triggering of the snapback mechanism, which began a 30-day period following which sanctions against Iran could be reimposed, did not mean that dialogue with Iran has ended. France and Germany, and their British partner in the E3 framework, will continue to seek a diplomatic solution during that period. Our proposal to extend Resolution 2231 remains on the table. It is up to Iran to take it up by making the necessary gestures.