France embraces larger role in a troubled world

SINGAPORE - France’s foreign policy is entering a new phase as Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot signalled a strong push for the country to have a greater presence across the European and Indo-Pacific theatres. 

“France is an Indo-Pacific nation,” Mr Barrot said at a press conference on March 25, marking the end of his first visit to Singapore.

“We have a specific responsibility as a resident power with a role to play,” he said, pointing to port calls and participation in multilateral exercises involving the Charles De Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group as a “demonstration of the role we want to play in contributing to the stability and maritime security of the region”.

Yet Mr Barrot, 41, demurred at suggestions that such efforts were aimed at Beijing. He preferred instead to frame his visit to China later this week as a follow-up to his last two meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a chance to exchange views on defending multilateralism and international law, as well as to build economic, cultural and scientific cooperation.

France shoulders bigger responsibilities in Europe

Mr Barrot, however, struck a defiant note when asked about European security affairs. 

“The time has come for (Europe) to step up and take responsibility for our security,” he said. “The front line has got closer to Western Europe over the past few years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”

In recent weeks, Europe has seen a flurry of activity to shore up Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and strengthen its hand in talks over a ceasefire deal. More than 30 defence chiefs also came together to eke out a peacekeeping proposal and new security arrangements for Ukraine. 

France has in tandem stepped up as a major security and diplomatic player – from convening emergency summits among European leaders on Ukraine to hosting the

Artificial Intelligence Action Summit

. It has supported a plan by the European Commission to “Rearm Europe” in March. 

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to host a summit of a “coalition of the willing” to chart a way forward later this week, just as US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia over the past two days

failed to achieve a breakthrough

.

“We want durable peace on the continent and that is why we need to deter any threat, whether it comes from Russia or other sources,” said Mr Barrot.

Has the fear of abandonment by the US shifted France’s strategic calculus? He hints so. “We have heard our American allies express their intent to reduce at some point their level of commitment in Europe.”

But Mr Barrot brushed aside a report by The Atlantic on March 25 of leaked chats among top US officials including Vice-President J.D. Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth suggesting that Europe was

“freeloading” on US strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels

. 

“France has been fighting terrorism in Syria, in the Red Sea with the European Union’s Operation Aspides,” he said. As a United Nations Security Council permanent member, France takes its responsibilities seriously, he added.

Operation Aspides is a maritime security operation that aims to protect commercial shipping and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and off the Gulf.

France eyes economic opportunities in Indo-Pacific

When asked if France had similar plans to step up investments and trade to boost its economic engagement in Asia, Mr Barrot replied swiftly: “Absolutely.”  

Highlighting growing France-Singapore cooperation as efforts bearing fruitful opportunities, he singled out three sectors for further collaboration: transport, technology and energy, and civilian nuclear energy in particular. 

“I want to highlight our support for the

Asean power grid

. We are in the process of building a cluster of French companies with deep expertise in developing energy networks,” he said. 

A special envoy will be appointed to shape the grouping before liaising with the authorities of interested countries keen to decarbonise their electrical grid and increase their energy resilience.

“With artificial intelligence and quantum computing, we hope to be able to announce some very important investments on the occasion of President Emmanuel Macron’s visit,” he added.

Mr Barrot’s trip to Singapore comes just slightly over two months before President Macron is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, the annual marquee security conference. 

Mr Barrot called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. He also met Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan during his visit.