NATO - Jean-Yves Le Drian’s participation in the meeting of foreign ministers (Brussels, 23-24 Mar. 2021)

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will take part in the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels on March 23 and 24.

This meeting will provide an opportunity for the ministers to prepare for the next summit of NATO heads of state and government, based on the process of strategic reflection launched during the summit in London in December 2019. The minister will present France’s vision for a realistic and effective ambition for the completion of this process and the preparation of the decisions that will be submitted to the NATO heads of state and government, notably based on the NATO secretary general’s proposals as well as the recommendations made by the expert panel appointed at the summit in London.

In this context, the minister will stress the need to build with the new U.S. administration a rebalanced trans-Atlantic relationship thanks to a strengthened defense effort on the part of the European allies, to the benefit of the alliance and the trans-Atlantic partnership. He will underscore the importance for the alliance of setting realistic goals that will allow nations to continue to invest in their defense capabilities and to take concrete action on the ground to strengthen our common security. He will also support the proposals aimed at reaffirming the values and principles that should guide relations between the allies.

The minister will also share our vision with respect to developments in the strategic context which have an impact on the alliance’s security interests. He will underscore the importance of a robust NATO defense and deterrence posture, to which France directly contributes, while reaffirming the importance of preserving the channels of clear-sighted dialogue with Moscow. These discussions will finally allow ministers to address regional crises, notably in Afghanistan, given the alliance’s security interests and the involvement of several of our allies on the ground, as well as in the alliance’s southern neighborhood. The minister will reaffirm the importance of collaboration and coordination in order to protect these common security interests and the ongoing political processes, notably in Afghanistan.