Blinken told Macron that Washington was "certainly supportive of European defence and security initiatives" that can increase capabilities but do not undermine the NATO alliance, a senior US State Department official said. Blinken then met Macron and Bonne at the presidential Élysée Palace. France briefly withdrew its ambassador to the United States over the affair, before French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden spoke by phone and agreed to hold in-depth consultations. In his meetings with French officials on Tuesday, Blinken discussed French proposals for more security and counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries in the Sahel region of West Africa, the US official said. Blinken, who was not initially expected to meet Macron during the visit, found the meeting "very positive", the official said.

Source: bd News24 October 05, 2021 12:11 UTC