- Title: De-escalation in Gulf is 'best what we can do', France's Macron says
- Date: 19th March 2026
- Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 19, 2026) (REUTERS) FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON ARRIVING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "I reiterated France’s position in this conflict. It is strictly defensive. It aims to protect our nationals and our interests, to support our regional allies, to preserve freedom of navigation and marit
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: EU IRAN MACRON
- Location: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- City: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: European Union,Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001569119032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:EDITOR'S NOTE: PRESS CONFERENCE STARTED ON MARCH 19, 2026 AND ENDED ON MARCH 20, 2026. SHOTLIST NOTES WHICH SOUNDBITES WERE MADE BEFORE AND AFTER MIDNIGHT.
France has a "strictly defensive" position in the Middle Eastern conflict and will continue promoting de-escalation, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday night (March 19) after a European summit in Brussels.
Macron said that defending international law and promoting de-escalation "is a fair and proportionate position, and it is the best we can do."
The French president also recalled all parties in the conflict to immediately implement a "moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure," especially water and energy facilities.
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