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Catherine Colonna
Catherine Colonna
Catherine Colonna
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Catherine Jeanne Béatrice Colonna (French: [katʁin kɔlɔna]; born 16 April 1956) is a French diplomat and politician who served as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne from May 2022 to January 2024.

Key Information

Colonna previously served as Ambassador of France to the United Kingdom (2019–2022), Ambassador of France to Italy (2014–2017), Permanent Representative to OECD (2017–2019) and Permanent Representative to UNESCO (2008–2010).

Early life and education

[edit]

Colonna was born in Tours in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Colonna was the daughter of a farmer of Corsican origin. After obtaining a master's degree in public law at the Université François-Rabelais of Tours, she pursued her studies at the Institut d'études politiques de Paris (public service) then École nationale d'administration (ENA) in the class of 1983 (Promotion Solidarité).

Career in the diplomatic service

[edit]

In 1983, Colonna entered diplomatic service being appointed to the Embassy of France in the United States, first in the political department, then in the press and information department.

Upon her return to Paris, Colonna oversaw European Law at the Legal Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1986 to 1988. In 1988, she was promoted Technical Advisor in Minister of Public Works Maurice Faure's cabinet, under the presidency of François Mitterrand. In 1989, shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall, she joined the Analysis and Forecasting Centre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she was put in charge of European Affairs. She later became spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1990, in the department of Communication and Information, a position she held for five years.

In 1993, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Juppé and Cabinet Director Dominique de Villepin named Colonna deputy spokeswoman. Two years later, in May 1995, newly-installed President Jacques Chirac appointed her spokeswoman for the Élysée. For the following nine years, she served as the official voice of the French Republic's presidency, then left office to work as Director General of the National Centre of Cinematography (CNC) in September 2004.

Following the European Constitution referendum, Colonna returned to diplomacy, being appointed Minister Delegate for European Affairs in Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's newly-formed government on 2 June 2005. She remained in position for two years, until 15 May 2007. From autumn 2007 until summer 2008, Colonna participated in the Commission on the White Paper on Foreign and European policy of France, led by Alain Juppé.

On 26 March 2008, Colonna was appointed the French Permanent Representative to UNESCO.

Career in the private sector

[edit]

Since May 2008, Colonna was a member of the Fondation Chirac's Board of Directors,[1] and was a member of the Franco-British Council.[2]

From May 2010, Colonna also chaired the Board of Governors of the École du Louvre.[3]

In December 2010, Colonna joined the Paris office of international financial communications firm Brunswick as managing partner.[4]

Return to the diplomatic service

[edit]

Colonna was appointed the French Ambassador to Rome on 14 August 2014.[5] She became Permanent Representative to OECD in 2017, before being appointed the French Ambassador to London in 2019.

Amid a 2021 dispute between the United Kingdom and France over post-Brexit fishing licenses, then UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss instructed Minister of State for Europe, Wendy Morton, to summon Colonna "to explain the disappointing and disproportionate threats made against the UK and Channel Islands."[6]

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 2022–2024

[edit]
Colonna with Antony Blinken in 2022

In May 2022, Colonna was named Foreign Minister in the Borne government. She was the second woman to hold this office, after the short stint by Michèle Alliot-Marie in 2010.[7]

Early in her tenure, Colonna and Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu travelled to Niger together to seal a regional redeployment, making the country the hub for French troops in the Sahel region.[8]

In January 2023, Colonna and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Ethiopia and met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on a mission to support the Ethiopia–Tigray peace agreement ending the Tigray War.[9]

Following the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état, Colonna expressed support for reversing the coup following a meeting with former Nigerien prime minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou.[10]

In September 2023, Colonna said France would hold Azerbaijan "responsible for the fate of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh."[11]

Tayeb Benabderrahmane case

[edit]

Franco-Algerian consultant Tayeb Benabderrahmane was arrested by Qatari security services in January 2020 in Doha on accusations of espionage on behalf of a foreign state. He was detained for several months — later denouncing unlawful detention and ill-treatment — before being placed under house arrest. His release in late October 2020 was conditioned on signing a confidentiality protocol barring him from disclosing documents allegedly compromising for Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, under penalty of a €5 million fine. According to his lawyers, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been informed as early as 5 March 2020 of his arbitrary detention and of the human rights violations against him, but no consular assistance was provided.[12]

After his return to France, Benabderrahmane filed a complaint in 2022 for kidnapping, unlawful detention, and torture. A French judicial investigation was opened in February 2023. On 31 May 2023, a criminal court in Doha sentenced him to death in absentia by firing squad for “intelligence with a foreign power,” a verdict delivered without his knowledge while he was already back in France.[13] The Qatari authorities did not publicly disclose this judgment, and the French authorities only learned of the conviction through diplomatic channels in July 2023. In April 2023, the Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani had already sent a letter to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna contesting the Paris investigation — deemed “baseless” by Doha — and recalling that Benabderrahmane, accused of “serious crimes,” was wanted by Qatari justice.[14]

On 5 July 2023, French police boarded the plane of Nasser Al-Khelaifi at Le Bourget airport to search the aircraft and question him in the ongoing judicial inquiry. Al-Khelaifi refused to leave his jet for over an hour while his lawyers and Qatari representatives negotiated with the officers. A Qatari diplomat intervened on the tarmac, claiming Al-Khelaifi enjoyed diplomatic immunity as a “minister without portfolio” and stated that the Qatari ambassador had alerted Colonna. According to this account, Colonna contacted her Interior Ministry counterpart to halt the police operation, a claim categorically denied by the Quai d’Orsay, which maintained that Colonna received no such call and did not intervene “at any level”.[15]

On 21 July 2023, in reaction to the Le Bourget incident, the Qatari government sent an official letter to Catherine Colonna via its Prime Minister. The letter protested the treatment of Al-Khelaifi by French investigators and stressed that the operation could have been carried out “at a more appropriate time […] without damaging his reputation or that of Qatar.” The letter also reiterated Benabderrahmane’s arrest in Doha in January 2020, his detention and house arrest, and his authorized departure from the emirate on 31 October 2020. It further informed French authorities of the death sentence handed down in absentia a few weeks earlier. No public reaction followed from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: no protest against the death sentence nor any consular support was provided. In September 2023, the Quai d’Orsay even stated that it had “received no request for consular protection” in 2020 regarding Benabderrahmane.[16]

Due to this lack of consular and diplomatic support, Benabderrahmane decided to pursue legal action after learning of his conviction through the press. On 12 December 2024, his lawyers filed a complaint before the Court of Justice of the French Republic against Catherine Colonna for “failure to render assistance to a person in danger.” The complaint, also based on “endangering the life of others” and “failure to comply with judicial requisitions,” accused the French Foreign Minister of deliberately failing to inform Benabderrahmane of his death sentence and of taking no action to protect him, even though she had been notified of his situation. According to his lawyers, “Ms. Colonna voluntarily refrained from warning Mr. Benabderrahmane of his death sentence, thereby exposing him to an obvious lethal risk.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on these accusations, while the judicial investigation remains ongoing.[17]

Later career

[edit]

In February 2024, Colonna was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to lead an independent review group to look into accusations by Israel that 12 staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) were involved in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[18]

Honours

[edit]

French

[edit]

Foreign

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Catherine Colonna

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Catherine Colonna (born 16 ) is a French and who served as Minister for and from May until January . Her tenure coincided with major international crises, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Colonna's diplomatic spans over four decades, beginning in 1983 at the French Embassy in Washington, followed by roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Legal Affairs Directorate and as deputy spokesperson. She served as spokesperson for President Jacques Chirac from 1995 to 2004 and as Minister Delegate for European Affairs from 2005 to 2007. Notable ambassadorships include Italy and San Marino (2014–2017), UNESCO Permanent Representative (2017–2019), and the United Kingdom (2019–2022). Following her ministerial role, Colonna led an independent review of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in , assessing its neutrality and mechanisms amid allegations of staff involvement in terrorism.

Personal background

Early life

Catherine Colonna was born on 16 April 1956 in Tours, in the Indre-et-Loire department of the Centre-Val de Loire region. She was raised on a farm in the Touraine area, operated by her father of Corsican descent, who had been a lawyer before settling there as a farmer following his return from the Algerian War. Her mother was a homemaker with a degree in English. Colonna has described herself as a "countrywoman" at heart, shaped by this rural upbringing into a pragmatic outlook.

Education

Catherine Colonna earned a maîtrise in from the in 1977, followed by a diplôme d'études approfondies (DEA) in from the same in 1978. She subsequently attended the Institut d'études politiques de Paris (), completing her studies in the service public section, which prepares students for entry into elite civil service . Colonna then entered the (ENA) as part of the promotion Solidarité in 1981, graduating in 1983 and opting for the diplomatic track upon completion. This trajectory, combining advanced legal training with specialized political studies and ENA's rigorous administrative formation, positioned her for a career in French diplomacy.

Diplomatic and public service career

Initial diplomatic roles (1988–2007)

Colonna began her post-early posting diplomatic engagements in 1988 as a technical advisor in the cabinet of Maurice Faure, Minister of Equipment, Housing, and Transport. From 1989 to 1990, she served as a mission officer for European affairs under Prime Minister Michel Rocard, addressing coordination between domestic policy and EU integration efforts. Returning to the (Quai d'Orsay), Colonna joined the for and in 1989, where she analyzed European political developments in the lead-up to the fall of the . By 1990, she advanced to deputy director of the press office within the Directorate of Communication and , managing and strategic messaging for French . In 1995, Colonna was appointed spokesperson for the French Presidency under , a position she held until 2004—a notably extended tenure that spanned cohabitation governments, the intervention, and France's opposition to the 2003 . In this role, she coordinated daily briefings and defended presidential stances on international crises, drawing on her communication expertise to shape public perceptions of France's diplomatic priorities. From June 2, 2005, to May 15, 2007, Colonna served as Minister Delegate for European Affairs in de Villepin's , overseeing EU negotiations, enlargement policies, and amid debates over the EU Constitution's . Her tenure emphasized pragmatic within the EU framework, reflecting France's push for reformed structures.

Private sector interlude (2007–2010)

Following her departure from the position of Minister Delegate for European Affairs on 15 May 2007, Catherine Colonna participated in the Commission on the for France's foreign and European from autumn 2007 to summer 2008. Chaired by , the commission assessed strategic priorities for French amid the transition to President Nicolas Sarkozy's administration, emphasizing to global shifts including and . In May 2008, Colonna joined the of the Fondation Chirac, a established by President to advance intercultural , conflict prevention, and access to and energy in developing regions. She contributed to its during a period when the foundation focused on initiatives like the Forum and efforts. Around the same time, she assumed the role of Vice-President of the French section of the Franco-British Council, an independent bilateral organization promoting cooperation between France and the United Kingdom in areas such as defense, education, and trade. These non-governmental positions marked Colonna's engagement outside direct state service, leveraging her expertise in European affairs and international relations.

Return to diplomacy and spokesperson positions (2010–2014)

In December 2010, following her tenure as Permanent Delegate of to from 2008 to 2010, Catherine Colonna joined the Paris office of Brunswick Group, an international advisory firm specializing in strategic communications and affairs, as managing partner. In this , she leveraged her prior experience in and communications to corporate and institutional clients on issues including , , and across . During her time at Brunswick, Colonna maintained involvement in public and financial governance sectors. On June 5, 2014, she was appointed as an independent member of the Supervisory Board of Groupe BPCE, France's second-largest banking group, where she contributed insights on international and regulatory affairs until her departure from the firm later that year. Colonna's formal return to the French diplomatic service took place on August 14, 2014, when a from the and Minister of named her, then a minister plenipotentiary of second class, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Italy and San Marino, based in Rome. This appointment reincorporated her into the Ministry of ' active corps, ending her private-sector interlude and positioning her for subsequent high-level diplomatic postings. No formal spokesperson roles within the ministry were held during this 2010–2014 period, though her Brunswick position echoed elements of her earlier communications expertise from the 1990s.

Ambassadorships (2014–2022)

Colonna was appointed of to and in 2014, serving until September 2017. Her tenure coincided with heightened European migration flows, during which managed significant arrivals via the Mediterranean route, prompting bilateral discussions on and EU solidarity mechanisms. She engaged with Italian authorities on economic ties, including 's support for Italian projects and cultural exchanges, leveraging her prior diplomatic to strengthen cooperation within the EU framework. From October 2017 to September 2019, Colonna served as of to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in , an ambassadorial-level role focused on multilateral . In this capacity, she represented French interests in discussions on global tax reforms, , and regulations, contributing to OECD reports on inequality and amid post-2008 recovery efforts. In September 2019, Colonna was appointed Ambassador to the , a posting she held until her recall in May 2022. Her term overlapped with the finalization and of the UK-EU and Agreement following , during which Franco-British relations faced strains over , , and migration. A notable incident occurred in 2021, when the UK summoned her to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office after France issued deadlines for post-Brexit fishing license verifications in Jersey waters, threatening sanctions including electricity supply disruptions if compliance was not demonstrated by local fishermen. The standoff, rooted in disputes over proof of prior fishing activity in the 12-nautical-mile zone, was resolved through bilateral talks but highlighted ongoing calibration of post-Brexit maritime access rights under the agreement's provisions. Colonna also advanced cooperation on defense, including the Lancaster House Treaties' renewal, and addressed Northern Ireland Protocol amid UK internal debates.

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (2022–2024)

Catherine Colonna was appointed Minister for and on 20 May 2022, following President Emmanuel Macron's re-election and the formation of a new under Élisabeth Borne; she succeeded Jean-Yves Le Drian in the . Her appointment came after serving as 's ambassador to the , leveraging her extensive diplomatic to address ongoing global challenges including the and tensions in the . Early in her tenure, Colonna prioritized transatlantic coordination and support for Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion. On 30 August 2022, she affirmed France's commitment to sustaining military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Kyiv during an informal EU foreign ministers' meeting in Prague, emphasizing that "France will maintain its support for Ukraine." She visited the in October 2022, meeting to discuss shared priorities such as Ukraine aid and NATO reinforcement, where she highlighted the need for "unwavering support" against Russian aggression. By February 2023, Colonna addressed the UN General Assembly, underscoring France's role in securing Ukraine's EU candidate status and stating that "Russian aggression must fail—we will help Ukraine achieve that goal." In July 2023, she advocated for concrete security guarantees for Ukraine at the NATO Vilnius summit, noting Kyiv's "remarkable efforts" in reforms for Euro-Atlantic integration. Colonna also engaged actively on issues, balancing France's support for Israel's with calls for restraint. In 2023, during a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli , she reiterated France's commitment to Israel's right to while urging an end to "unilateral measures likely to tensions" in the and emphasizing the need to halt settlement policies. Her diplomacy extended to , where she defended France's recalibrated partnerships amid withdrawals from Mali and Niger; in a September 2023 interview, she declared that "Françafrique died a long time ago," framing relations as sovereign partnerships rather than paternalistic influence. In multilateral forums, Colonna chaired the National for Development and International on 7 2022, focusing on coordination amid global crises. She participated in the in 2023, discussing Ukraine's defense needs with counterparts including U.S. leaders. By late 2023, she stressed China's potential in resolving the Ukraine conflict, calling for Beijing's on issues dividing and . Colonna's tenure ended with a on 11 2024, when she was replaced by in Gabriel Attal's government; the change occurred amid broader political realignments following legislative elections, though Macron retained oversight of . During her 20-month term, delivered over €3 billion in to , including Caesar howitzers and for 20,000 Ukrainian troops, aligning with NATO's collective response.

Post-ministerial activities

Independent review of UNRWA (2024–2025)

In February 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres commissioned an independent review of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)'s mechanisms and procedures to ensure adherence to the humanitarian principle of neutrality, following allegations by Israel in January 2024 that at least 12 UNRWA staff members participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, which prompted 16 donor countries to suspend approximately $450 million in funding. Catherine Colonna, former French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, was appointed to chair the review group, which also included experts from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (Sweden), Chr. Michelsen Institute (Norway), and Danish Institute for Human Rights. The review commenced on , , and involved a nine-week assessment, including field visits to , , the , and Gaza, as well as over interviews with staff, host governments, donors, and other stakeholders. Its scope focused on evaluating the adequacy and of 's existing neutrality frameworks—such as the Neutrality Framework—rather than investigating specific allegations, which were deferred to the to avoid interference. The group documented 151 allegations of neutrality breaches between and , primarily related to social media activity, with 50 cases under investigation by April ; it noted challenges like underreporting due to security risks in conflict zones and 's limited investigative capacity, comprising only six international investigators with two positions vacant. Key findings indicated that UNRWA possesses robust formal mechanisms for upholding neutrality, but gaps exist in their consistent application, particularly amid operational pressures in politically charged environments. Persistent issues included staff expressions of political opinions, use of problematic educational materials, and politicized staff unions; the report observed recurring violations of UN premises' inviolability, such as 129 incidents in the in and eight Hamas incursions into Gaza facilities that year. Regarding Israel's broader claims of UNRWA staff links to terrorist organizations, the review stated that Israeli authorities had not provided supporting despite UNRWA's requests, and it found no systemic failure in neutrality adherence but highlighted vulnerabilities in and processes. The final report, submitted on , , outlined 50 recommendations across eight thematic areas: donor , and oversight, and , risk certification and compliance, neutrality, staff and human resources, education, and external . These included enhancing transparency with donors, establishing a dedicated Neutrality Investigations Unit, improving staff through biometric and database linkages, prohibiting or in curricula, and reforming unions to prevent politicization. accepted all recommendations and issued a high-level action plan in August to implement them, with ongoing monitoring into 2025; several donors, including the European Union and Sweden, resumed funding based on the report's assurances. Israel rejected the report as offering only "cosmetic fixes" and insufficient to address UNRWA's alleged deep integration with , urging donors to withhold funds to prevent indirect support for in Gaza. Critics, including , argued the review lacked true due to Colonna's prior engagements with UNRWA and failed to scrutinize evidence of staff promotion or affiliations documented in independent reports, such as UNRWA employees on terrorist payrolls or facilities used for purposes, claiming it prioritized procedural mechanisms over substantive neutrality failures. These critiques, echoed in testimonies to U.S. congressional hearings, contend that the report's scope and reliance on UNRWA self-reporting undermined its in verifying claims amid documented historical breaches.

Controversies and criticisms

UNRWA neutrality review disputes

In April 2024, former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, as chair of an independent group appointed by Secretary-General , released a report assessing UNRWA's adherence to humanitarian neutrality principles following Israeli allegations that agency staff participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on . The 52-page document concluded that UNRWA possessed neutrality mechanisms more developed than those of comparable UN entities but deemed them insufficiently implemented, recommending 50 specific improvements including enhanced risk assessments, staff against terrorist , and better of agency from misuse by groups. It noted that had not provided supporting claims of UNRWA staff membership in terrorist organizations, though it acknowledged isolated breaches and urged investigations into specific allegations. The report faced immediate criticism from Israeli officials, who described its recommendations as "cosmetic solutions" that failed to address the "enormous scope" of Hamas infiltration into UNRWA operations, including staff participation in attacks and the use of agency facilities for military purposes. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued that the review overlooked systemic issues, such as UNRWA's hiring practices and educational curricula accused of promoting antisemitism and violence, and rejected the panel's call for Israel to share intelligence more proactively, asserting that prior evidence shared with donors had prompted funding suspensions totaling around $450 million. Non-governmental watchdogs, including UN Watch, disputed the review's independence and thoroughness, alleging that Colonna's prior diplomatic roles and consultations with pro-UNRWA experts compromised objectivity, effectively providing "cover" for the agency despite documented failures to dismiss over 1,200 staff listed on Palestinian terrorist rosters and evidence of UNRWA-linked tunnels and weapons storage. Executive Director Hillel Neuer testified before U.S. congressional committees that the panel ignored UNRWA's historical refusal to implement neutrality safeguards, such as mandatory dismissals for terror affiliations, and relied on limited access to Israeli intelligence without verifying broader patterns of bias in UNRWA schools and social services. Critics further highlighted that subsequent UN investigations confirmed nine UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7 attacks, contradicting the review's minimization of systemic risks. Pro-UNRWA advocates, conversely, contested the review's emphasis on neutrality gaps as amplifying unsubstantiated Israeli claims aimed at dismantling the agency, with groups like BADIL arguing it dismissed of politicized suspensions amid Israel's broader campaign against UNRWA's operations in Gaza. UNRWA Commissioner-General welcomed the findings as validation of existing while committing to reforms, though skeptics maintained that the report's —focusing on procedural fixes rather than structural overhaul—reflected institutional reluctance to confront entrenched politicization within the UN . These disputes contributed to ongoing donor hesitancy, with partial resumptions tied to progress amid persistent allegations of agency in conflict dynamics.

Diplomatic incidents and policy critiques

In September 2023, Colonna referred to the Algerian as "out of time" during a diplomatic event in marking the 60th of Algerian , prompting Algerian Foreign Minister to express surprise and reject the as disrespectful to Algeria's of resistance. The remark exacerbated underlying tensions in Franco-Algerian relations, which had included a 2021-2022 visa quota reduction by France that Algeria viewed as punitive, though Colonna's ministry later adjusted policies to normalize ties by December 2022. In October 2023, during a visit to , Colonna shared a of —symbolically significant to but claimed by as Dağı—which Turkish officials condemned as provocative and supportive of irredentist narratives, leading to public criticism from that was interfering in regional disputes amid 's growing military ties with . 's Foreign Ministry defended the post as contextual to the bilateral visit, denying any territorial endorsement, but the highlighted strains in Franco-Turkish relations over South Caucasus dynamics, including 's agreement to supply military equipment to earlier that month. Colonna's involvement in the Tayeb Benabderrahmane affair, a Franco-Algerian-Qatari diplomatic entanglement, drew allegations of mishandling after a April 2023 letter from Qatar's Prime Minister to her condemning the lobbyist—arrested in in January 2020 on espionage suspicions—for allegedly spying on behalf of foreign entities. Benabderrahmane, who claimed and arbitrary detention linked to his against Qatari interests, filed a complaint in December 2024 against Colonna as an ex-minister, accusing her of complicity through silence or diplomatic facilitation in what he termed the "Qatar Connection," though French authorities have not publicly confirmed any wrongdoing on her part. Investigative reports noted the letter's transmission to French services but highlighted Colonna's lack of response amid Benabderrahmane's arbitration claims in Washington. Policy critiques centered on France's engagements, where Colonna asserted in September 2023 that "Françafrique died a long time ago" while defending non-intervention in Niger's July 2023 coup and condemning juntas, yet faced accusations from Sahelian leaders and French left-wing parliamentarians of perpetuating paternalistic interference through withdrawals that left power vacuums exploited by and affiliates. Critics, including Algerian officials, argued her ministry's approach undervalued African sovereignty, as evidenced by Algeria's August 2023 warnings against perceived French plotting in Niger, which Colonna denied. These views contrasted with her emphasis on democratic transitions, though empirical data on post-withdrawal instability—such as Mali's 2022 expulsion of French forces and rising jihadist attacks—underscored causal challenges in shifting from interventionist to partnership-based models.

Honors and distinctions

French honors

Catherine Colonna holds the rank of Commandeur in the Légion d'honneur, France's highest and decoration, established in 1802 by Bonaparte to recognize exceptional service. She was promoted to this rank on 3 2024, following her tenure as Minister for and . Prior to this, she had been appointed Officier in the order on 31 December 2015, in recognition of her diplomatic , including roles as ambassador and spokesperson for the Ministry of . She is an Officier in the Ordre national du Mérite, created in 1963 to honor significant contributions to the French nation in civilian or military capacities, complementing the Légion d'honneur. Colonna received this distinction on 12 2010, during her interlude in the after serving as a diplomatic advisor. Colonna also ranks as Commandeur in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, instituted in to acknowledge distinguished contributions to , , or their promotion. This elevation reflects her early career involvement in cultural diplomacy, including her time at the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, where she served in leadership roles promoting French audiovisual exports. She initially received the rank of Chevalier in 2005 before advancement.

Foreign honors

Colonna received the rank of the Order of the of on behalf of the Italian for her contributions to bilateral relations. On 30 December 2022, Ukrainian President awarded her the , 3rd class, in recognition of her support for amid the Russian invasion. In Autumn 2024, the Japanese conferred upon her the Cordon of the , Japan's highest honor for civilians, citing her efforts to strengthen France-Japan during her tenure as foreign minister.

References

  1. https://onu.delegfrance.org/catherine-colonna-minister-for-europe-and-foreign-affairs
  2. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/01/french-foreign-minister-catherine-colonna-out-france-changes-cabinet
  3. https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/the-ministry-and-its-network/news/news/article/interview-catherine-colonna-french-minister-for-europe-and-foreign-affairs
  4. https://www.challenges.fr/tag_personnalite/catherine-colonna_34996/
  5. https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20220522-catherine-colonna-une-ministre-sp%25C3%25A9cialiste-de-la-diplomatie-de-crise-au-quai-d-orsay
  6. https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220522-veteran-diplomat-catherine-colonna-takes-the-helm-at-france-s-troubled-foreign-ministry
  7. https://www.info.gouv.fr/personnalite/catherine-colonna
  8. https://francearchives.gouv.fr/fr/agent/18834878
  9. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/05/20/ambassador-to-the-uk-catherine-colonna-takes-helm-of-french-diplomacy_5984188_4.html
  10. https://sanfrancisco.consulfrance.org/catherine-colonna-ministre-de-l-europe-et-des-affaires-etrangeres
  11. https://www.taurillon.org/Catherine-Colonna-il-est-fondamental-que-les-candidats-donnent-leur
  12. https://nz.ambafrance.org/Catherine-Colonna-ministre-de-l-Europe-et-des-Affaires-etrangeres
  13. https://francearchives.gouv.fr/fr/authorityrecord/FRAN_NP_051133
  14. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/200522/les-nouveaux-visages-du-gouvernement-borne
  15. https://news.europawire.eu/groupe-bpce-names-catherine-colonna-as-independent-member-of-its-supervisory-board-09876543213456789/eu-press-release/2014/06/06/22/09/41/25897/
  16. https://www.lesechos.fr/2010/12/catherine-colonna-nouvelle-recrue-de-poids-chez-brunswick-1088404
  17. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000029374929
  18. https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/france/240622/how-french-foreign-minister-catherine-colonna-was-appointed-despite-bullying-alerts
  19. https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/chi-e-catherine-colonna-la-nuova-ministra-degli-esteri-francese-con-un-passato-in-italia/
  20. https://en.geneastar.org/genealogy/colonnacath/catherine-colonna
  21. https://dbpedia.org/page/Catherine_Colonna
  22. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/europe-minister-summons-french-ambassador
  23. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59084877
  24. https://www.politico.eu/article/france-emmanuel-macron-ambassador-to-the-uk-new-foreign-affairs-minister-catherine-colonna-eu/
  25. https://www.reuters.com/world/catherine-colonna-french-envoy-britain-be-named-foreign-minister-bfm-2022-05-20/
  26. https://ieu-monitoring.com/editorial/france-will-maintain-its-support-for-ukraine-meeting-between-catherine-colonna-and-her-ukrainian-counterpart/385926/?utm_source=ieu-portal
  27. https://media.franceintheus.org/5669/
  28. https://kyivindependent.com/french-foreign-minister-russian-aggression-must-fail-we-will-help-ukraine-achieve-that-goal/
  29. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/09/7410548/
  30. https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/israel-palestinian-territories/news/2023/article/israel-meeting-between-catherine-colonna-and-her-israeli-counterpart-during-his
  31. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/09/03/french-foreign-minister-colonna-francafrique-died-a-long-time-ago_6122222_4.html
  32. https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/development-assistance/events-and-news/2022/
  33. https://www.c-span.org/person/?134944
  34. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/nov/24/french-foreign-minister-says-chinas-cooperation-is/
  35. https://en.axar.az/news/world/821953.html
  36. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/01/12/macron-loyalist-stephane-sejourne-named-french-foreign-minister_6426482_5.html
  37. https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/unrwa_independent_review_on_neutrality.pdf
  38. https://www.timesofisrael.com/unrwa-review-israel-hasnt-provided-evidence-that-agency-staff-were-terror-group-members/
  39. https://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/colonna-report-and-action-plan
  40. https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2024/04/92732/independent-review-panel-releases-final-report-unrwa
  41. https://www.gov.il/en/pages/catherine-colonna-s-report
  42. https://unwatch.org/exposed-unrwas-rigged-independent-review/
  43. https://chrissmith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2024-05-17-_written_testimony_by_hillel_neuer-_eliminating_u.s._aid_to_terrorists.pdf
  44. https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148821
  45. https://www.dw.com/en/unrwa-review-finds-neutrality-issues-no-terror-proof/a-68893802
  46. https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/08/1152841
  47. https://badil.org/cached_uploads/view/2024/08/19/pos-paper-unrwa-neutrality-1724051314.pdf
  48. https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/independent-review-unrwa-adherence-humanitarian-principle-neutrality
  49. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/evaluating-unrwa-after-colonna-report
  50. https://worldcrunch.com/culture-society/cancel-national-anthem/
  51. https://www.dzair-tube.dz/en/french-fm-catherine-colonnas-controversial-remarks-on-algerian-national-anthem-spark-diplomatic-exchange-algerian-fm-responds/
  52. https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20221219-franco-algerian-relations-back-on-track-following-visa-dispute-north-africa-tunisia-morocco-illegal-immigration
  53. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-defends-controversial-social-media-post-on-turkiyes-mount-agri-by-foreign-minister/3008802
  54. https://en.yenisafak.com/turkiye/france-defends-controversial-social-media-post-on-turkiyes-mount-agri-by-foreign-minister-3671344
  55. https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20231004-paris-agrees-to-deliver-military-equipment-to-armenia
  56. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/fil-dactualites/121224/apres-sa-detention-au-qatar-un-lobbyiste-franco-algerien-depose-plainte-contre-une-ex-ministre
  57. https://www.blast-info.fr/articles/2023/qatar-connection-catherine-colonna-etrangere-aux-affaires-46nBZTThTYm17Va5W3Ofrw
  58. https://www.affaire-benabderrahmane.com/catherine-colonna-qatar-connection/
  59. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/french-left-wing-politician-criticizes-paris-for-despising-policy-towards-africa/3064816
  60. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-algeria-warns-against-foreign-military-intervention-in-niger/
  61. https://www.csis.org/analysis/transatlantic-relations-times-strategic-confrontation-her-excellency-catherine-colonna
  62. https://www.legiondhonneur.fr/sites/default/files/2024-10/20240709_lhcp.pdf
  63. https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/bio/catherine-colonna
  64. https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/351116/
  65. https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3644012-zelensky-presents-awards-to-cambodian-pm-liberian-norwegian-french-fms.html
  66. https://twitter.com/MinColonna/status/1708898292929528066
  67. https://www.fr.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_02714.html
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