Paris: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot criticized mayors from the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party on Tuesday who removed the European flag from town halls. 'This is a betrayal of what we are. The European Union, it is France that wanted it. It is us, to guarantee peace and preserve our independence against growing pressure from empires,' Barrot wrote on US social media company X.

According to Anadolu Agency, Barrot emphasized that the flag 'represents hope, freedom, justice, and democracy,' and asserted that it affirms Europe's determination to control its destiny. He described the act of displaying the European flag as 'also an act of resistance to the brutalization of the world.' Barrot further argued that national and local identities complement each other within the European framework.

He also highlighted the growing international tensions, expressing concern over the intensifying conflict between Chinese and US superpowers. Barrot warned that this situation threatens European sovereignty and prosperity and could potentially draw France into wars it did not choose.

The French National Assembly approved a bill in 2023 making it mandatory to display French and European flags in municipalities with more than 1,500 residents. The proposal on compulsory flag display is still awaiting examination by the Senate.