FRA9 FILE · France, Europe & world
French diplomacy and defence
Diplomatic network, armed forces, alliances and instruments of influence.
UNEUNATOFrancophonie
Diplomatic network, armed forces, alliances and instruments of influence.
01UN02EU03NATO
A global diplomatic network
As a permanent UN Security Council member, France relies on a large embassy network, the European Union, Francophonie, development aid and its overseas territories.
Key points✦ UN✦ EU✦ NATO✦ Francophonie
How decisions are made
The president is commander-in-chief; government and Parliament intervene according to operations, budgets and the duration of deployments. Nuclear deterrence has a distinct place in this structure.
Autonomy and alliances
French policy seeks to combine strategic autonomy, European commitment and NATO membership. Defence, industry, energy, trade and cultural diplomacy often meet in the same files.
Read next
France in the European UnionInstitutions, currency, law and decisions: what Europe changes in France.
France’s overseas territoriesThe status, cultures, oceans and realities of territories across several continents.
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