In his annual speech to French ambassadors on August 28, 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron called for the strengthening of France’s diplomatic efforts as the international community faces new challenges.[1]
Macron told French ambassadors that the country needed to strengthen its diplomatic strategies as the international context became more “complex.” Macron said that the world order has changed as the conjuncture has become “harder” and “more complex” and stated that this carries the risk of “weakening the West and especially Europe”.[2]
Macron used the following statements in his statement:[3]
“Our international order is being challenged. War has returned to European soil. Anti-French sentiments are widespread, fueled by anti-colonialism or perceived anti-colonialism about double standards being applied. New forms of protectionism are on the rise. “We need to be open without being overly pessimistic.”
Thinking that the European Union (EU) and French Democracy are facing risks, Macron stated that France’s diplomatic efforts should focus on security policy and supporting Europe’s independence and strategic interests in the context of the war in Ukraine. The French President also emphasized the need to “avoid the division of the world” over the Ukrainian War, at a time when many countries in the Global South refuse to condemn Russian aggression. Because Macron said, “We must protect our universal principles and values.”[4]
Macron also praised the work of French diplomats serving under difficult conditions in Niger. [5] The French Ambassador did not leave Niger, a former French colony, despite the junta’s calls to leave. In this context, Macron said that there was junta pressure there, but despite this, the ambassadors remained on duty. Macron used the following statements:[6]
“France and its diplomats have faced particularly difficult situations in some countries in recent months, whether in Sudan, where France has set an example, or in Niger. I greet you and your colleagues.”
In this context, the Russia-Ukraine War, which started on February 24, 2022, deeply shook the global system and created a new competitive environment The rivalry between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States of America (USA), which remained from the Cold War Era, came to light again in the form of US-Russia tension with this war. It can be said that the situation in question is the greatest tension experienced on the Washington-Moscow line after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989[7] and the end of the Cold War in 1991.[8]
In this context, there are differences of opinion regarding the war in question between the powers in the Western pole, led by Continental Europe, led by Germany and France, and the powers, led by the United States of America (USA) and England. At this point, Washington and London advocate harsher policies against Moscow. However, Berlin and France emphasize that the hardening of the attitude towards Russia has a very bad effect on Europe. In this case, it can be argued that the rising far right in Europe has a significant impact.
As a result, it can be argued that the emphasis on French diplomacy in Macron’s speech stems from this and that France will follow a more European-oriented policy in the ongoing process.
[1] “Macron Calls for Strengthening French Diplomacy to Tackle Changing World Order”, France 24, https://www.france24.com/en/france/20230828-%F0%9F%94%B4-watch-live-macron-lays-out-foreign-policy-goals-to-france-s-ambassadors, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.08.2023).
[2] “Macron Calls for ‘Multi – Speed’ Europe to Cope with Enlarged Bloc”, https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230828-macron-calls-for-multi-speed-europe-to-cope-with-enlarged-bloc, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.08.2023).
[3] “Speech by President E. Macron for a Global French Diplomacy”, Mission Permanente De La France Aupres des Nations Unies A New York,https://onu.delegfrance.org/Speech-by-President-E-Macron-for-a-global-french-diplomacy, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.08.2023).
[4] “French President Macron Announces New Diplomatic Initiative to Drum Up Stronger International Pressure on Azerbaijan”, Massis Post, https://massispost.com/2023/08/french-president-macron-announces-new-diplomatic-initiative-to-drum-up-stronger-international-Pressure-on-azerbaijan/, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.08.2023).
[5] “Macron Says French Ambassador Will Stay in Niger, Despite Pressure from Junta to Leave”, Reuters,https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/french-ambassador-will-stay-niger-macron-says-2023-08-28/, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.08.2023).
[6] “Macron Calls for Strengthening French Diplomacy to Tackle Changing World Order”, France 24, https://www.france24.com/en/france/20230828-%F0%9F%94%B4-watch-live-macron-lays-out-foreign-policy-goals-to-france-s-ambassadors, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.08.2023).
[7] “What Was the Berlin Wall and How Did it Fall?”, IWM, https://shorturl.at/dexRW, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
[8] “Mikhail Gorbachev: The Soviet Leader who Helped End the Cold War”, British Broadcast Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13669848, (Erişim Tarihi: 07.08.2023).
