U.S.DEPARTMENT of STATE:latest news

 

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu 01/03/2022 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu 01/03/2022 01:45 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu discussed the importance of continued coordination regarding the threat of Russian escalation in Ukraine.  They also discussed issues related to the Horn of Africa, Turkey’s appointment of a Special Envoy to discuss the process of normalization with Armenia, and opportunities to deepen cooperation bilaterally and as NATO Allies to address areas of mutual concern. Secretary Blinken’s Call with the Bucharest Nine 01/03/2022 Secretary Blinken’s Call with the Bucharest Nine 01/03/2022 02:27 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with the Bucharest Nine (B9) group of eastern flank NATO Allies.  The Secretary and Foreign Ministers discussed Russia’s destabilizing military buildup along Ukraine’s border; the need for a united, ready, and resolute NATO stance for the collective defense of Allies; and transatlantic cooperation on issues of shared concern.  The Secretary stressed the U.S. commitment to continued close consultation and coordination with all of our Transatlantic Allies and partners as we work toward de-escalation through deterrence, defense, and dialogue.  They also highlighted their solidarity with Lithuania in the face of escalating political pressure and economic coercion by the People’s Republic of China.  The Secretary underscored the United States’ unwavering commitment to Transatlantic security and to NATO’s Article 5. Joining the call were the following senior officials: Bulgarian Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavaky Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau Romanian Deputy Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with Greek Foreign Minister Dendias 01/04/2022 Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with Greek Foreign Minister Dendias 01/04/2022 12:49 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.  Deputy Secretary Sherman and Foreign Minister Dendias stressed the importance of promoting solidarity and stability in Europe, including support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.  The Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister also underscored the importance of continued coordination among NATO Allies and partners, including through the preparation of unprecedented economic measures, to deter Russia from further military action and aggression. Troika and EU Statement on the Resignation of Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok 01/04/2022 Troika and EU Statement on the Resignation of Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok 01/04/2022 02:36 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union underscore their continued support for the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.  Abdallah Hamdok played a major role in leading Sudan’s democratic and economic reforms.  His resignation as Sudanese Prime Minister, two months after the military’s unconstitutional seizure of power, reinforces the urgent need for all Sudanese leaders to recommit to the country’s democratic transition and deliver on the Sudanese people’s demands for freedom, peace, and justice. No single Sudanese actor can accomplish this task on their own.  While the Troika and the European Union will continue to support the democratic transition in Sudan, Sudanese stakeholders will need to work on the basis of the 2019 Constitutional Declaration on how to overcome the nation’s current political crisis, select new civilian leadership, and identify clear timelines and processes for the remaining transitional tasks – including establishing the legislative and judicial branches of government, creating accountability mechanisms, and laying the groundwork for elections. Unilateral action to appoint a new Prime Minister and Cabinet would undermine those institutions’ credibility and risks plunging the nation into conflict.  To avoid this, we strongly urge stakeholders to commit to an immediate, Sudanese-led and internationally facilitated dialogue to address these and other transitional issues.  Such a dialogue should be fully inclusive and representative of historically marginalized groups, include youth and women, and would help put the country back on the path to democracy. The Troika and the European Union will not support a Prime Minister or government appointed without the involvement of a broad range of civilian stakeholders.  We look forward to working with a government and a transitional parliament, which enjoy credibility with the Sudanese people and can lead the country to free and fair elections as a priority.  This will be necessary to facilitate the Troika and the European Union’s provision of economic assistance to Sudan.  In the absence of progress, we would look to accelerate efforts to hold those actors impeding the democratic process accountable. At this critical juncture, we continue to hold the military authorities responsible for human rights violations which are against current national legislation and international law.  The right of the Sudanese people to assemble peacefully and express their demands needs to be protected.  We expect the security services and other armed groups to refrain from using further violence against peaceful protestors and civilians across the country, especially in Darfur. The killing of scores of Sudanese, sexual violence and the injuries of hundreds more by the security services and other armed groups since the October 25 military takeover is unacceptable.  We reiterate the need for independent investigations into these deaths and associated violence, and call for the perpetrators to be held accountable.  Attacks on hospitals, detentions of activists and journalists, and communication blackouts, must also stop.  We once again call for all those unjustly detained to be released and for the State of Emergency to be lifted immediately. Sudan’s people have spoken as loudly and clearly as they did in 2019.  They reject authoritarian rule and want the transition toward democracy to continue.  Sudan’s leaders must now show they are listening. U.S. Government Takes Action Against Current and Former Bosnia and Herzegovina Officials Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption and Destabilizing Activities 01/05/2022 U.S. Government Takes Action Against Current and Former Bosnia and Herzegovina Officials Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption and Destabilizing Activities 01/05/2022 10:36 AM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State The Department of State is publicly designating former Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) President Milan Tegeltija and the President of the Movement for Democratic Action (PDA) and Parliamentary Assembly Representative Mirsad Kukic due to their involvement in significant corruption.  These designations render Tegeltija and Kukic ineligible for entry into the United States.  Their actions undermined the rule of law, the public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes, and peace and prosperity for BiH’s citizens. The designations of Kukic and Tegeltija are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021. In his official capacity as HJPC President, Tegeltija was involved in corrupt acts that included using his political influence and official power for his personal benefit.  Specifically, there is credible information that Tegeltija used his position to solicit a benefit in return for interfering in a judicial process as well as manipulating judicial appointments and other public employment. In his official capacity as a manager of the publicly owned Banovici mine and as a Parliamentary Assembly Representative, Kukic was involved in corrupt acts that used his political influence and official power for his personal benefit.  Specifically, there is credible information Kukic misappropriated public funds for personal benefit and interfered in hiring and appointment decisions to benefit himself politically. In addition to Tegeltija and Kukic, the Department of State is designating Tegeltija’s spouse, Tijana Tegeltija, pursuant to Section 7031(c).  This action also renders her ineligible for entry into the United States. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed economic sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14033 on Milorad Dodik (Dodik), a member of the BiH Presidency, and the designation of a media outlet under his control, Alternativna Televizija (ATV).  As a result of today’s action under E.O. 14033, all property and interests in property of those sanctioned that are in or come within the United States or that are in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. Together, these designations reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH, the rule of law and democratic institutions, and a better future for BiH’s citizens.  Other leaders and entities linked to corrupt or destabilizing actors may also be subject to future actions by the U.S. Government.  We will continue to use appropriate authorities to promote accountability for actors across the region and globally. For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Bau 01/05/2022 Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Bau 01/05/2022 11:47 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Ángeles Moreno Bau.  They discussed the coordination of U.S. and European efforts to deter and impose significant costs on further Russian aggression against Ukraine and the use of diplomacy, including through continued coordination among NATO Allies and partners, to de-escalate tensions. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Trip to Switzerland and Belgium 01/06/2022 Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Trip to Switzerland and Belgium 01/06/2022 10:11 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman will travel to Switzerland and Belgium from January 8 to January 13. The trip follows extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners in developing a united approach to Russia’s unprovoked military build-up along Ukraine’s borders and our joint efforts to encourage Russia to choose diplomacy and deescalate in the interests of Euro-Atlantic security and stability. In Geneva on January 10, the Deputy Secretary will lead the U.S. delegation’s participation in an extraordinary session of the U.S.-Russia bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD). She will be joined by Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Chris Robinson. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia Laura K. Cooper and Lt. Gen. James J. Mingus will represent the Department of Defense. They will be accompanied by an interagency delegation from the State Department, National Security Council, Department of Defense, and Joint Staff. The bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue previously met for regular plenary sessions in July and September 2021, following President Biden and President Putin’s meeting in June 2021. The NATO-Ukraine Commission will also take place on January 10, and the U.S. will be represented by Ambassador Julie Smith. The Deputy Secretary will then travel to Brussels January 11 to 12 for consultations with NATO leadership, NATO Allies, and EU officials to continue our close coordination on European security in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine. On January 11, she will meet with representatives from the EU institutions and jointly prepare with Allies for the NATO-Russia Council meeting. On January 12, Deputy Secretary Sherman will lead the U.S. delegation to the NATO-Russia Council Meeting. The Deputy Secretary’s participation in the SSD, NATO, and EU consultations are part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russia’s military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine. Our diplomatic engagements will continue with the first OSCE Permanent Council meeting of 2022 on January 13, where Ambassador Michael Carpenter will lead U.S. participation. The OSCE is an important venue for multilateral dialogue on European security issues. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with French, German, Italian and UK Counterparts 01/06/2022 Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with French, German, Italian and UK Counterparts 01/06/2022 01:08 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with French MFA Secretary General Francois Delattre, German MFA Political Director Tjorven Bellmann, Italian MFA Secretary General Ettore Sequi, and UK Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America James Cleverly. They pledged to continue close U.S.-European coordination to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to impose massive consequences and severe costs on Russia for destabilizing actions. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba 01/07/2022 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba 01/07/2022 11:59 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.  Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.  He discussed potential U.S. and Allied responses to Russia’s military buildup along Ukraine’s borders and upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia.  The Secretary stressed there will be “no conversations about Ukraine without Ukraine.” Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Linde 01/07/2022 Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Linde 01/07/2022 01:45 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde today and discussed shared concerns on Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders.  The Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister affirmed their continued commitment to confront global challenges including building on our collective efforts to end the war in Yemen, strengthening regional security, and promoting democracy.  The Deputy Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for her tenure as the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and discussed continued bilateral cooperation.