Press Releases: United States and France Strengthen Relationship on Cyber Policy

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Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

February 9, 2018


On February 7th and 8th, the United States and France further deepened their joint commitment to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure cyberspace during a whole of government cyber bilateral dialogue. The meeting covered approaches to address domestic cybersecurity challenges, ways to strengthen international security and stability in cyberspace, and updates on cyber-related diplomatic and capacity building efforts. Discussions also focused on efforts to counter malicious state and non-state cyber activities, the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, and cybercrime. The United States and France reaffirmed their support for a framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, based on the applicability of existing international law, adherence to non-binding peacetime norms of state behavior, and implementation of practical confidence building measures. This meeting builds on the inaugural France-U.S. cyber dialogue, which was held in Paris in September of 2016, and reaffirms our ongoing partnership on cybersecurity and cyber policy matters.

Mr. Robert Strayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cyber and International Communications and Information Policy, U.S. Department of State, led the U.S. engagement. Other agencies represented include the National Security Council, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Office of the Director for National Intelligence.

David Martinon, Ambassador for Digital Affairs, led the engagement for the Government of France, in partnership with representatives from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of the Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Justice.