U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

 

G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement On the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile by North Korea 03/19/2023 G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement On the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile by North Korea 03/19/2023 11:54 AM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union. Begin Text: We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms North Korea’s March 16 launch of yet another Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), which undermines regional and international peace and security. Since last year, North Korea has intensified its escalatory actions through a record number of ballistic missile launches and its continued irresponsible and destabilizing rhetoric regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Earlier this year, North Korea publicly stated its intent to further expand and enhance its unlawful nuclear and missile programs. We reiterate our demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner and fully comply with all obligations under the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). North Korea cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear-weapon State in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We urge North Korea to engage in meaningful diplomacy toward denuclearization and accept the repeated offers of dialogue put forward by Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea. We deeply regret to see the stark contrast between the frequency of North Korea’s repeated blatant violations of UNSCRs and the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) corresponding inaction because of some members’ obstruction. North Korea’s reckless behavior demands a swift and unified response by the international community, including further significant measures by the UNSC. We call on all UN Member States to fully and effectively implement all UNSCRs, and for the UNSC Members to follow through on their commitments. The G7 remains concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in North Korea and is committed to working with all relevant partners toward the goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to upholding the rules-based international order. End Text United States Support of the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue 03/19/2023 United States Support of the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue 03/19/2023 06:09 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State The United States welcomes the accord Kosovo and Serbia reached through European Union facilitation on the implementation of their February 27 Agreement on the Path to Normalization of Relations. We commend the President of Serbia and Prime Minister of Kosovo for their leadership in reaching this agreement.  Fulfilling Kosovan and Serbian obligations under the Basic Agreement, as part of sustained commitment to reconciliation, will secure significant opportunities for the people of both countries and accelerate their paths to European Union membership. The United States will remain actively engaged, in coordination with EU partners, to support Serbia and Kosovo in making implementation work in pursuit of a predictable and peaceful relationship. We will continue to support the advancement of stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans. We thank the EU for facilitating the talks and the Government of North Macedonia for hosting the parties and supporting finalization of this agreement. The Departure of Dr. Karen Donfried 03/20/2023 The Departure of Dr. Karen Donfried 03/20/2023 09:59 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State For the last 18 months, Dr. Karen Donfried has led the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs with the utmost skill and commitment during a pivotal time. As she prepares to depart the Department at the end of the month, I thank Karen for her tremendous service to the Department and the American people. Karen has deftly managed our relationships with many of our most important allies and partners at a time when Kremlin aggression threatened decades of peace and prosperity. Her policy acumen, integrity, and drive defined her leadership as Assistant Secretary and represent the highest values of public service. An exceptional leader, Karen has nurtured and empowered her team, positioning the Bureau and, in turn, the Department to pursue most effectively the interests and defend the values we share with our European allies. On behalf of the Department, I thank Karen for her distinguished service and wish her well in her next endeavors. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan 03/20/2023 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan 03/20/2023 10:28 AM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today to offer continued U.S. assistance in facilitating bilateral peace discussions with Azerbaijan.  Secretary Blinken thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for Armenia’s continued commitment to peace and encouraged concrete steps forward in finding solutions to outstanding issues.  He reiterated U.S. support for direct talks and diplomacy to support a lasting and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus and stressed that there is no military solution. Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine 03/20/2023 Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine 03/20/2023 11:44 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State This week, as Russia’s unconscionable war of aggression against Ukraine continues at greathuman cost, we are again reminded of the boundless courage and steadfast resolve of theUkrainian people, and the strong support for Ukraine across the international community. Today, pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 34thdrawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $350 million. This military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and howitzers that Ukraine is usingto defend itself, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, riverine boats, and other equipment. We applaud the more than 50 countries that have come together to provide support for Ukraine asit defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia alone could end its war today.  Until Russia does we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Azerbaijani President Aliyev 03/21/2023 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Azerbaijani President Aliyev 03/21/2023 12:38 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken called Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to offer continued U.S. assistance in facilitating bilateral peace discussions with Armenia.  Secretary Blinken encouraged finding solutions to outstanding issues and underscored that there is no military solution.  He reaffirmed the importance of reopening the Lachin corridor to commercial and private vehicles.  Secretary Blinken said the United States looked forward to continued cooperation with Azerbaijan on the peace process. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with Swiss State Secretary Leu 03/21/2023 Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with Swiss State Secretary Leu 03/21/2023 09:03 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke with Swiss State Secretary Livia Leu today.  Deputy Secretary Sherman and State Secretary Leu reaffirmed the strength and depth of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Switzerland.  The Deputy Secretary and State Secretary also discussed our shared support for Ukraine and cooperation on sanctions and information sharing.  They looked forward to the next session of the U.S.-Switzerland Strategic Partnership Dialogue. Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Belarusian Democratic Leader Tsikhanouskaya 03/22/2023 Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Belarusian Democratic Leader Tsikhanouskaya 03/22/2023 08:29 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Belarusian Democratic Leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya today in Washington, D.C.  In advance of Belarus Freedom Day on March 25, the Deputy Secretary expressed the United States’ continuing commitment to supporting the Belarusian people’s pursuit of a democratic, sovereign, and stable future for Belarus. Deputy Secretary Sherman also shared with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya the United States’ intent to launch a comprehensive Strategic Dialogue with the Belarusian democratic movement and civil society beginning in late 2023.  Deputy Secretary Sherman and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya shared their hope that the Strategic Dialogue will bring together relevant agencies of the U.S. government engaged on Belarus as well as a broad cross-section of Belarusian democratic actors, including political leaders, civil society representatives, independent journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, union leaders, academics, and ordinary Belarusians. Joint Statement on the U.S.-Moldova Strategic Dialogue 03/23/2023 Joint Statement on the U.S.-Moldova Strategic Dialogue 03/23/2023 08:24 AM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Moldova. Begin Text: On March 15, 2023, the Governments of the United States of America (United States) and the Republic of Moldova (Moldova) held the Moldova-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in Chisinau.  The event included political consultations led by the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu and U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Dereck Hogan. The United States and Moldova welcomed the significant progress achieved on bilateral priorities since the last Strategic Dialogue in Washington in April 2022. They noted developments in various areas of cooperation, including justice sector and anti-corruption reforms, human rights, promoting a pluralistic media environment and rights-respecting media policies to counter disinformation, energy diversification and resilience, defense modernization and transformation, civil protection, border management, cyber security, countering cross-border threats, combating illicit trafficking in weapons and ammunition, countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related materials, humanely addressing the needs of refugees, and expanding people-to-people ties. The dialogue also underscored the significance of President Sandu’s meeting with President Biden in Warsaw in February 2023 and visit to Washington, D.C., in December 2022, in deepening and strengthening bilateral cooperation. The United States and Moldova have built a strategic partnership and close ties for over 30 years. That partnership has grown even deeper as Moldova manages the repercussions of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The United States stands together with Moldova by supporting its long-term democratic and economic reform efforts, as well as its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two countries addressed the economic, energy, security, defense, and humanitarian impacts to Moldova of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States has made available nearly $320 million in new economic, security, and humanitarian assistance to help Moldova manage these impacts of the war while maintaining progress on its democratic and anti-corruption reform agenda and promoting economic growth. This assistance includes $30 million in non-reimbursable budget support disbursed in December 2022 for electricity purchases.  The United States, working with Congress, also plans to make available an additional $300 million for energy assistance in Moldova to address the urgent needs created by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to strengthen Moldova’s energy resilience and security, including another $80 million in budget support to address energy and power costs. The United States welcomed the European Council decision of June 23, 2022, to grant EU candidate status to the Republic of Moldova. The United States is supporting Moldova’s integration with the European Union and the implementation of an ambitious reform agenda essential for the advancement towards this objective and for the benefit of the people of Moldova. The delegations focused their discussions on enhancing cooperation on a broad range of topics. The participants emphasized the importance of increasing the integrity of justice sector actors and strengthening good governance in Moldova. The United States welcomed the outcome of the first stage of pre-vetting 28 judges for positions in the Superior Council of Magistracy and Moldova’s efforts to institute a legal framework for the external assessment of judges and prosecutors (vetting), as well as the adoption of reforms to the electoral code intended to increase transparency with regard to political party financing. Moldova reaffirmed its commitment to tackling corruption, including criminal asset recovery. Moldova expressed appreciation for the United States’ continued support to these efforts, as well as the U.S. Department of Treasury`s October 2022 sanctions designations against individuals and entities involved in systemic corruption and Russia’s malign influence operations in Moldova. The sanctions also designated Russian FSB-affiliated operatives and institutions for interference in Moldova’s elections. The United States pledged continued partnership to strengthen Moldova’s anti-corruption institutions, including the National Anti-Corruption Center and Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. The United States welcomed several advances in the field of human rights, including adopted amendments to strengthen the Ombudsman Office and the Anti-Discrimination Council, adoption of legislation on combating hate crimes, adoption of unannounced labor inspections to detect and prevent trafficking in persons, advancement in implementation of the Action Plan on Promoting Holocaust Remembrance and a culture of tolerance, and continued efforts to implement the Istanbul Convention. The United States thanked Moldova for opening its doors to refugees fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and for the adoption of temporary protection status. U.S. assistance to refugees in Moldova and to Moldovans who have hosted them has totaled nearly $75 million since the war started. On the media sector, the United States discussed continued assistance to Moldova’s Audiovisual Council to enable it to carry out its important responsibilities, while Moldova committed to continuing to pursue a reliable system for television ratings in Moldova – an important tool to ensure fair competition in the audiovisual field. The United States and Moldova highlighted ongoing cooperation to strengthen Moldova’s border security and address cross-border and hybrid threats that have increased due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine. The United States discussed continued support to Moldova for reforming and consolidating its security and defense sector capacity, grounded in the respect for Moldova’s constitutional neutrality. Both countries stressed the need to continue enhancing cooperation on cybersecurity and digital transformation, strengthening capacities to counter and prevent cybercrime and related crimes, and implementing national cyber defense policies. Moldova expressed appreciation for the United States’ technical cooperation to support Moldova’s forensic systems and increase capacity of law enforcement institutions, highlighting the opening of a new Recruitment and Evaluation Center. On March 14, on the sidelines of the Strategic Dialogue, Moldovan Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatii and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper signed a Bilateral Concept providing a framework for support to institutional reform and military capacity building and modernization. The United States and Moldova acknowledged the importance of working together to build a stronger, more resilient economy and diversified energy sector as key steps toward enhancing Moldova` national security, and which will be furthered through significant U.S. economic development and energy-related assistance. Moldova’s delegation expressed their appreciation for the support provided by the USAID Moldova Energy Security Activity (MESA), including technical assistance in helping Moldova satisfy its commitments towards adopting EU energy policies.  Both countries acknowledged the importance of continuing efforts to invest in energy infrastructure to diversify Moldova’s energy supplies in the long term and strengthen its resilience to threats to its energy security. Moreover, both countries share a common vision of a stronger, more diverse economy, one that is firmly rooted in a robust, private sector with expanding foreign trade relationships, supported through sector-specific industry associations, improved quality and competitiveness of Moldovan exports, access to financial solutions, and continued regulatory reform and transparency. Recognizing the importance of the ties between the American and Moldovan people to the overall bilateral relationship, Moldova and the United States held the inaugural meeting of the People to People Ties Working Group, focused on exchanges, cultural ties, and strategic communications. The two countries committed to build on the successes of existing educational, cultural, and professional exchanges and to encourage future programs. They expressed enthusiasm over the upcoming return of Peace Corps volunteers to Moldova in 2023, noting the positive contributions of more than 1,500 volunteers over the last 30 years. Both countries intend to continue to work on the issue of strategic communications, and the United States committed to supporting this effort by providing Moldova with both practical and technical assistance.  Furthermore, the United States intends to continue its support to Moldovan efforts to modernize and expand university curricula to help build a modern workforce.  Moldova and the United States noted the value of the robust partnership between the State of North Carolina and the Republic of Moldova, including recently expanded connections with North Carolina universities. Moldova and the United States also launched a new Strategic Dialogue Civil Society Platform, which included representatives of Moldovan civil society along with Moldovan and U.S. senior officials.  The Platform highlighted the importance of civil society in Moldova’s European path and the need for consultation with non-government and private sector organizations to inform policymaking. The Strategic Dialogue was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and included interagency and inter-ministerial representatives from both governments. The meeting featured senior U.S. officials from the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, and Peace Corps. The Moldovan delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Administration of the President of the Republic of Moldova, State Chancellery, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Ministry of Finance, National Anti-Corruption Center, Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Culture, Audiovisual Council, Public Services Agency, Agency for Inter-Ethnic Relations, Cyber Security and Information Technology Service, and Security and Intelligence Service. Both countries expressed a strong interest in further strengthening their bilateral strategic partnership through the activities of the Strategic Dialogue’s working groups and committed to hold the next working level meeting in Chisinau, Moldova, in autumn 2023 in preparation for the next session of the Strategic Dialogue in Washington in 2024. End Text Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to Examine Reports of Human Rights Abuses Committed by Lukashenka Regime 03/23/2023 Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to Examine Reports of Human Rights Abuses Committed by Lukashenka Regime 03/23/2023 11:38 AM EDT Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson The United States and 37 other countries have invoked the OSCE Moscow Mechanism requesting that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) establish an expert mission to examine the dire and continuous deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus. This invocation follows OSCE’s November 2020 Moscow Mechanism Mission Report, which documented the Lukashenka regime’s systematic human rights violations and abuses before, during, and following the fraudulent August 9, 2020 presidential election.  That report called on the Lukashenka regime to organize new genuine presidential elections based on international standards, release those unjustly detained, engage with the political opposition and civil society, and ensure accountability for victims of abuses. This new invocation will establish an expert mission to look into the human rights situation in Belarus and mounting evidence of the Lukashenka regime’s brutal crackdown on all elements of Belarusian society since 2020, as well as allegations of serious abuses linked to the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.  The expert mission will have a mandate to assess Belarus’s adherence to its OSCE commitments and how the Lukashenka regime’s actions may have adversely affected Belarus’s civil society, press freedoms, the rule of law, and the ability of democratic processes and institutions to function. We encourage the Belarus authorities to cooperate fully with the expert mission and facilitate its work.  The United States and our partners will continue our efforts to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its human rights violations and abuses. Taking Additional Actions to Hold the Lukashenka Regime to Account 03/24/2023 Taking Additional Actions to Hold the Lukashenka Regime to Account 03/24/2023 11:31 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State The United States continues to promote accountability for the Lukashenka regime’s violence surrounding the fraudulent August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, its ongoing brutal crackdown against the pro-democracy movement and other elements of Belarusian society, its flagrant human rights abuses, and its facilitation of the Russian Federation’s illegal war against Ukraine. Specifically, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is designating today two state-owned enterprises; Open Joint Stock Company Belarusian Automobile Plant and Open Joint Stock Company Minsk Automobile Plant. Further, Treasury is re-designating the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus and designating seven members of the Commission. The Department of State is announcing actions to impose visa restrictions on an additional 14 individuals under Presidential Proclamation 8015 for their involvement in undermining democracy in Belarus. Specifically, these individuals include regime officials involved in policies to threaten and intimidate brave Belarusians exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms at great personal cost. Today’s actions further align the United States with actions taken by our partners and Allies. The United States will continue to impose costs on the regime and those who support it for their repression of the people of Belarus, and the regime’s ongoing support for Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine. EU-U.S. Joint Naval Exercise 03/24/2023 EU-U.S. Joint Naval Exercise 03/24/2023 12:49 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson On 23 and 24 March 2023, the European Union and the United States of America conducted a joint naval exercise, as decided at the last round of the EU-U.S. High-Level Consultations on the Indo-Pacific on 2 December 2022. The joint naval exercise took place in the framework of the EU and U.S. patrolling and exercising high seas freedom of navigation. The exercise involved USS PAUL HAMILTON, as well as EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta’s Spanish Ship REINA SOFIA and Italian Ship CARLO BERGAMINI. It included professional exchanges on boarding procedures, ship navigation, and training designed to improve interoperability and integration. The exercise forms part of the shared commitment of the EU and United States to work towards practical maritime cooperation and support a free and open Indo-Pacific, in line with documents such as the EU Strategic Compass, the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy. The EU and the United States reaffirm their commitment to further pursue coordination and complementary work for regional maritime security to support freedom of navigation and other internationally lawful uses of the sea in the Indo-Pacific. Greece Independence Day 03/25/2023 Greece Independence Day 03/25/2023 12:01 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State On behalf of the Government and people of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Greece and Greeks around the world as you celebrate the 202nd anniversary of the founding of the Hellenic Republic. As I reflect on the previous year, I am proud to say that the partnership between the United States and Greece and the ties between our peoples have never been stronger. The United States views Greece as an indispensable partner and NATO Ally at a time of unparalleled global challenges. Time and again, Greece has stood on the right side of history, demonstrated most recently by its ongoing vital support to Ukraine more than one year after Moscow launched its brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion that has claimed countless innocent lives, including in the city of Mariupol, home to a Hellenistic identity for centuries. From Europe’s eastern flank to the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Balkans, and beyond, Greece has served as a principled proponent of peace and prosperity, and I thank you for your continued leadership. During my first official visit as Secretary of State to Greece this year, I was reminded not only of Greece’s legendary hospitality, but also of its unique role as the birthplace of democracy. Those remarkable values born in Athens resonated with the founders of the United States and continue to reverberate throughout the world, lighting the way forward to this day. This ancient source of inspiration allows us to stand united in addressing today’s global challenges. As we look toward another year of challenges and opportunities, I am heartened that our partnership remains firm. We will overcome our challenges together. The American people are resolute in our fondness and support for Greece and the Greek people. I look forward to the ways in which we will deepen our partnership and friendship and wish the people of Greece a year of peace, prosperity, and good health. Belarus Freedom Day 03/25/2023 Belarus Freedom Day 03/25/2023 09:08 AM EDT Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Today, we celebrate, along with Belarusians across the world, Belarus Freedom Day.  This day highlights the democratic legacy of the first independent Belarusian state, established in 1918 after 150 years of Russian occupation. Despite the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine, brave Belarusians continue to stand up for an independent, stable, and democratic future for Belarus.  In the face of the Lukashenka regime’s brutal and systemic crackdown on all sectors of Belarusian society the Belarusian democratic movement and civil society still courageously push forward for a free Belarus. Yesterday, the United States took action to hold the Lukashenka regime to account for its human rights abuses against the Belarusian people and for facilitating the Russian Federation’s unconscionable war against Ukraine.  The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions actions targeting state-owned enterprises and individuals who provide support to the regime’s brutality.  At the same time, we announced actions to impose visa restrictions on an additional 14 individuals under Presidential Proclamation 8015 for their involvement in undermining democracy. We are also taking steps to reinforce our support of a democratic Belarus.  The U.S. government’s intends to launch a comprehensive Strategic Dialogue covering relevant topics of mutual interest with the Belarusian democratic movement and civil society. On Belarus Freedom Day, we reaffirm the long-standing policy of the United States to support a democratic, sovereign, and stable Belarus.  This commitment is unwavering, bipartisan, and firmly rooted in the values of our nation. The Biden Administration wholeheartedly supports this policy, as have all U.S. Presidents for more than 30 years. We dedicate this day to the freedom of the nearly 1,500 political prisoners of the Lukashenka regime and to the freedom of all Belarusians, who deserve to create their own future, free of Lukashenka’s repression and Putin’s coercion.