U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with European External Action Service Secretary General Sannino
05/08/2023

Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with European External Action Service Secretary General Sannino
05/08/2023 07:08 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with European External Action Service Secretary General Stefano Sannino. The Deputy Secretary and Secretary General discussed ways to further advance transatlantic coordination and a united approach to the PRC and the Indo-Pacific region. They also underscored transatlantic unity in support of Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Kovachevski
05/08/2023
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Kovachevski
05/08/2023 06:37 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani today in Washington, D.C. Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Kovachevski emphasized the strong U.S. support for and the importance of North Macedonia’s EU accession for the country and the Western Balkan region. The Secretary highlighted North Macedonia’s important contributions and leadership promoting peace and stability in the Western Balkans and in support of Ukraine, particularly while holding OSCE’s Chairmanship-in-Office. The Secretary also noted the strong bilateral cooperation between the United States and North Macedonia, and stressed the importance of strengthening democratic institutions, rule of law reform, and energy security.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken and North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski Before Their Meeting
05/08/2023

Secretary Antony J. Blinken and North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski Before Their Meeting
05/08/2023 06:12 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, DC

Thomas Jefferson Room

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s a great pleasure to have Prime Minister Kovachevski here. We have a strong partnership with North Macedonia, a tremendously valued Ally in NATO at a time when that really matters. We are so grateful for your solidarity, your leadership on Ukraine and helping to defend it against Russia’s aggression. Deeply appreciate as well your leadership right now at a very challenging time of the OSCE that’s making a real difference. And we strongly, strongly support North Macedonia’s European Union path and appreciate very much, Prime Minister, your leadership in that effort.

We have a lot to talk about today, including everything I just mentioned, but also how we can advance things like greater energy security for the region, for North Macedonia; work that also needs to be done to combat misinformation and disinformation that is increasingly vital. I look forward to all of that, but mostly to say welcome. It’s great to have you. We so appreciate the partnership, the collaboration that we have, and I think that’s more essential than ever.

Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER KOVACHEVSKI: Well, first of all, thank you, Mr. Secretary of State, for the warm welcome at the State Department today. The United States and North Macedonia’s relationship is multifaceted, strong, and it’s based on values before all. And our strategic partnership gives results. Thanks to this strategic partnership, North Macedonia has been able to go through very difficult but brave decisions in the past decades, and these visionary decisions brought the country into NATO, enabled opening accession negotiations with the European Union, and chairing the OSCE during the most difficult year in Europe after the Second World War.

We share the same system of values, and that is why we stand by our decision to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom and for their efforts to keep their sovereignty and territorial integrity. That is why we aligned 100 percent our foreign policy with the European Union’s foreign policy on the first day of the brutal attack of Russia on Ukraine. And we have proven as a reliable partner within NATO.

North Macedonia values the United States as a close and reliable friend, as a NATO Ally, and an important partner on our way to the European Union membership, and recognize there’s a factor of stability in the region. We are proud of our partnership and I must say that during the last year, 2022 was exceptionally challenging year in Europe, for our country as well. I must thank your colleagues, with whom we worked together through the U.S. ambassador in Skopje, and we managed to come over the crisis – energy crisis, food crisis – and to ensure financing of everything what was needed for the citizens of North Macedonia. So for this I have to thank you in the name of the government and in the name – in the name of the people of North Macedonia. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you so much, Prime Minister.




Joint Statement on the 2nd U.S.-Netherlands Cyber Dialogue
05/09/2023


Joint Statement on the 2nd U.S.-Netherlands Cyber Dialogue
05/09/2023 12:01 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Netherlands on the occasion of the 2nd U.S.-Netherlands Cyber Dialogue.

Begin Text

On May 4, 2023, in The Hague, the Netherlands and the United States concluded their second inter-agency dialogue on cyber issues.

Building on their close ties and partnership, the two sides shared their concern over the threat of malicious conduct by state and non-state actors in cyberspace.

The Netherlands and the United States specifically condemned Russia’s continuing cyber-attacks in the context of its illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.

The Netherlands and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to the framework for responsible State behavior in cyberspace endorsed by all UN Member States. Both countries call upon all States to act in conformity with this framework and uphold the rules-based international order, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, in cyberspace.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen their comprehensive cooperation to prevent, disrupt, and respond to malicious cyber activity, including within NATO and with other partners, as well as to promote and protect human rights online and promote an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet and stable cyberspace.

The Netherlands and the United States reiterated their commitment to supporting partners, including Ukraine, in bolstering their cyber resilience. They agreed to work closely together in assisting Moldova in its efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity, in coordination with the recently established European Union Partnership Mission to Moldova. The parties also reaffirmed their support to the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise as a platform for coordinating global cyber capacity building and agreed to continue to work together to strengthen the role of women in cybersecurity, including through the Women in Cyber Fellowship. The two sides expressed their shared commitment for multilateral cyber-discussions to be based on inclusivity and transparency and noted the importance of engagement with the multi-stakeholder community on all matters related to cyberspace.

On digital issues, the Netherlands and the United States discussed the importance of shared principles in data flows and data governance, development of EU digital regulations, as well as the use of trusted, secure, and resilient information and communications technology globally. Regarding human rights and technology, the Netherlands and the United States, as founders of the Freedom Online Coalition, discussed their efforts to ensure the protection of human rights in the development of cyber and digital policies. They aim to prevent the proliferation and misuse of surveillance technologies and promote Internet freedom globally.

The Bilateral Cyber Dialogue was held with representatives from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Security, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Office of the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, and the National Cyber Security Center; and from the United States Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and the Office of the National Cyber Director. The dialogue was co-chaired by the Netherlands’ Ambassador at-Large for Security Policy and Cyber Nathalie Jaarsma and U.S. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security Liesyl Franz.

End Text




Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Sison’s Travel to Geneva and Rome
05/09/2023

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Sison’s Travel to Geneva and Rome
05/09/2023 11:56 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele Sison will travel to Geneva, Switzerland, and Rome, Italy, May 10-23. In Geneva, Assistant Secretary Sison will participate in an event hosted by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva Bathsheba Crocker on climate and mobility in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Assistant Secretary Sison will also join the U.S. delegation supporting the U.S. candidate for Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy E. Pope, and attend the IOM election on May 15. In Rome, the Assistant Secretary will meet with the new World Food Program Executive Director, Cindy McCain, and representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The Assistant Secretary will also meet with representatives from the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, the International Development Law Organization, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Assistant Secretary Sison will then return to Geneva to join the U.S. delegation to the 76th World Health Assembly.

For updates, follow @State_IO on Twitter. For updates, follow @State_IO on Twitter.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken And UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly At a Joint Press Availability
05/09/2023

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly At a Joint Press Availability
05/09/2023 06:16 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

James Cleverly, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary

Washington, D.C.

Dean Acheson Auditorium

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It is a genuine pleasure to welcome my friend Foreign Secretary James Cleverly back to the State Department. As usual, we covered a lot of ground, but I began by asking the foreign secretary to extend my warm congratulations to their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on their coronation.

I was in Atlanta over most of the weekend. I can report that many members of our team got up pretty early on Saturday to watch the ceremony, including me. I think it’s something that captivated millions and millions of Americans, as it did people around the world.

Today, I also had the chance to thank James for the United Kingdom’s crucial cooperation in getting citizens of both of our countries out of Sudan. These joint efforts allowed UK aircraft to evacuate more than 2,000 people, including U.S. citizens, from dangerous and unpredictable conditions (inaudible) evacuation of hundreds of additional U.S. citizens through Port Sudan. All told, we supported the evacuation of more than 1,300 Americans from Sudan in collaboration with our partners.

Together now, we are pressing the warring parties in Sudan to put down their guns and allow lifesaving aid to reach the Sudanese people. Even as we meet here, we have diplomats from the United States and Saudi Arabia deeply engaged in talks in Jeddah, working in close consultation with counterparts from the UK, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union, and other multilateral partners. The collective aim that we have is to lay the foundation for further negotiations between the parties that we hope can lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities.

But in the first instance, we’re working in Jeddah to extend the ceasefire and get agreement on the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan. We continue to engage directly with Sudanese civilian leaders, with Sudanese civilian society with the goal of putting their nation back on the track to civilian democratic governance. That’s the goal that we share and the goal that we will not give up on.

We’re also working hand in hand, as we have been for well more than a year now, to provide support for Ukraine as it defends its people and its territory against Russia’s war of aggression. We applaud the UK’s pledge to match in 2023 the $2.3 billion in military support that it provided to Ukraine during the first year of the war. In addition to training of tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, the UK is providing MRS, Challenger 2 tanks, armored vehicles, anti‑air missiles, and other military aid that will help equip Ukraine’s defenders as they work to retake more of their nation’s territory in the weeks and months ahead.

We also talked about the urgent need to extend and expand the Black Sea Grain Initiative. In recent days, Russia has once again returned to blocking ships from sailing to Ukraine’s ports to pick up the grain: a cynical action that directly results in less food getting to global markets and to human beings in Africa, in the Middle East, and around the world who need that food. While we’re grateful for the tireless efforts of Secretary-General Guterres and our colleagues in Türkiye working to break this impasse, the world shouldn’t need to remind Moscow every few weeks to stop using people’s hunger as a weapon in their war against Ukraine.

We’re teaming up to help rebuild Ukraine from the colossal damage inflicted by Russia’s relentless attacks. Next month, we’ll build on these efforts at the UK-hosted Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will bring together governments like ours with the private sector, with international financial institutions, with multilateral organizations to invest in the future of Ukraine and its people.

We also discussed how to meet other challenges to our shared security. In March, the UK released its Integrated Review Refresh 2023 and its assessment of both the challenges that we face and how to effectively address them to work together in that area. I think we see very, very close strategic alignment. That includes when it comes to both our individual relationships and coordinated approach with China, which we discussed today.

The vision that James set out a few weeks ago in his speech at Mansion House underscores the shared approach when it comes to key issues like ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as looking for ways to cooperate with China where we can work together to solve big challenges. That’s what people around the world expect from great powers, and it’s in our collective interest.

I think it’s also important to note that even as we focused today, as we do, on Ukraine, on some of the challenges represented by our respective relationships with China, we equally focused on a much broader agenda and that is the needs, the concerns, the imperatives for people around the world as they deal, and as we deal, with the impact of climate change, food insecurity – as I’ve already mentioned – energy insecurity, global health, trying to provide for more inclusive economic growth through work that we and partners in the G7, as we’re preparing for the leaders’ meeting of the G7, can help advance and support. That agenda is very much the focus of both the United Kingdom and the United States.

James said something when we were together recently in Japan that I’ll take the liberty of quoting here. He said, “The world is a healthier, happier, safer, more prosperous place when the United Kingdom and the United States work closely together, and it’s in our mutual interest to do so.” I couldn’t agree more.

And next month’s visit by Prime Minister Sunak to meet with President Biden will offer us a chance to do even more of that, and we’re very much looking forward to it.

With that, the floor is yours.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Secretary Blinken, Tony, thank you once again for hosting me here in Washington. It’s always a pleasure to speak with you, to discuss the areas of bilateral interest, as well as the issues which affect the whole world. We did so recently at the G7 with our – all our friends in the international community.

And thank you also for the kind words that you’ve said on behalf of your nation on the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Can I also thank the First Lady for joining us at this time of special celebration, a once in a lifetime event made more special because we were able to share it with friends from across the world.

Can I also put on record our thanks to the United States of America and, indeed, you personally for the huge amount of effort that you have invested in seeking peace in Sudan. It was a situation which unfolded whilst we were meeting at the G7 in Japan, and I commend the effort that you personally put in, engaging with the generals, with the leadership of the warring factions, to try and bring initially a ceasefire and then your ongoing work, the ongoing work of the United States of America, in trying to broker a sustainable peace.

It should remind everybody that whilst we are, of course, working on the support that we give to Ukraine and their self-defense – and I’ll touch upon that again in a moment – we are not distracted from the pressing issues of the day and we deal with them. We deal with them effectively; we deal with them collaboratively. And we’re able to do so because of the very strong bilateral relationship that our two countries enjoy, a relationship which is invested in regularly by the visits that we make over here. And as you say, I know the prime minister’s very much looking forward to meeting with President Biden when he comes across next month.

But also we are very grateful to the President for his recent visit to the United Kingdom to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a topic which I know is of great interest and passion to him, and we value your country’s engagement on that issue.

We remain committed to building peace and prosperity around the world, just as we are attempting to do in Sudan, and we continue to work towards that goal in Ukraine. Every time I come to the United States I make a point of thanking your nation for the scale of support that you have given to Ukraine. You are the largest donor, both in military and economic terms, and I know that your support is incredibly important in their ability to defend themselves against this unprovoked attack from Russia.

We, of course, spoke at length about the nature of that support, about the next few months, and the importance to not only look at the context through the prism of the conflict but also to focus on the future rebuilding work that will inevitably be needed. We are very pleased – the UK is very pleased to host on behalf of Ukraine the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where we will seek to build a coalition that will enable Ukraine to rebuild its country after this conflict has been concluded, after they regain their country back. And we value the United States of America’s coordinating role in ensuring that the private sector as well as the public sector is heavily involved in that reconstruction. From the UK’s point of view, we’ll of course also continue to provide financial and military aid. We intend to give the Ukrainians the tools they need to successfully defend themselves against the invasion.

But just as we did with Sudan, we remain focused on the needs of some of the poorest people in the world, and I echo your comments on the Black Sea Grain Initiative. It is completely wrong that Russia uses the hunger of some of the poorest people in the world to pursue leverage during this conflict. They should re-sign the Black Sea Grain Initiative and do so immediately. They should unlock the supply of food to go to those people around the world who need it most. And it is perverse that they are using hunger in the developing world as leverage in their conflict in Ukraine.

We did, of course, also have the opportunity to speak about issues on a broader context. And, of course, how we recognize the role that China has in world affairs and how we respond to China’s action will, of course, be an ongoing part of our bilateral discussions.

I recently gave a major speech on the UK’s posture towards China, which was derived from our recent integrated review refresh. We made the point that we need to defend ourselves as nations – the UK is doing this, as indeed the United States of America is – against inappropriate activities by China. We also need to make sure that we build alliances and strengthen the pre-existing alliances that we have, as I’m doing today with the United States of America, but also with our friends in the Indo-Pacific region. And we have to engage with China directly, robustly, regularly, to seek to influence the decisions that are made in Beijing and do so in a way that benefits the whole world, whether that be on the maintenance of peace across the Taiwan Strait, which of course is something which affects all of us irrespective of where we are in the world, to issues such as climate change, pandemic prevention and response.

And that of course brings us full circle to our bilateral relations with the United States of America. We have been close defense partners. We are intelligence-sharing partners. And of course, we have strong economic ties. And we will seek to find opportunities where the UK can be a strong economic partner to the United States of America as well as being a strong defensive partner as well.

It is – and thank you for reminding me of that quote; I do happen to be rather proud of it – I think it is in our mutual interest and in the interests of everyone around the world that the UK and U.S. bilateral relationship continues to be one of the points of pride, and one which is strong, and one which I intend to make even stronger still in the future. Thank you.

MR PATEL: We’ll take four questions. First, Kylie Atwood from CNN.

QUESTION: Good morning. Thank you both for taking questions. Secretary Blinken, I want to just ask you a quick question on China and then pivot to Ukraine. This week, when Ambassador Burns met with the Chinese foreign minister, did they agree to begin planning on your rescheduled visit to Beijing? And then on Ukraine, does Ukraine have what it needs to be successful in winning back at least some of the territory that Russia is now occupying in the upcoming counteroffensive?

And Secretary Cleverly, the same question for you. Does Ukraine have everything it needs to be successful in winning back some of that territory? And then specifically related to international support for Ukraine headed into the coming months and year, there are reports that your country is preparing to send long-range missiles to Kyiv. When could those long-range missiles from the UK and potentially other European allies actually arrive in the country? And we have seen in the past that when the UK moves on an additional military capability for Ukraine, the U.S. has followed suit. In any of your conversations so far, have you gotten indications that that might be the case with long-range missile systems as well? Thank you.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Kylie, thanks very much. Happy to start. With regard to China, I’m obviously not going to go into any detail about the ambassador’s conversations with Chinese counterparts. What I can say is this. What we have communicated to our colleagues in the government in Beijing is the importance from our perspective in engagement, precisely because we have a deeply complicated and also consequential relationship that is important to people in the United States and China, but beyond that around the world; that our two presidents agreed when they met in Bali at the end of last year that it would be important to establish and strengthen our lines of communication; and that we believe that that’s in our interests and also something that the rest of the world expects us to do because there’s an expectation that we will responsibly manage the relationship. And precisely because we have profound differences as well as, I believe, some responsibility not only to manage those differences so that the competition that we have doesn’t veer into conflict, but also the potential where it’s in our mutual interest and where it answers needs that the world has as well to find areas of cooperation, that engagement’s the way that we try to pursue both of those responsibilities.

So that’s the nature of the conversation that we’re having with China in this moment, and we’ll see where that goes.

With regard to Ukraine, all along, from day one – in fact, before day one – it’s been our determination to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression. And throughout the more than one year of that aggression, we have worked very hard to adjust at every step of the way to what was needed at any given time; and right now, of course, the focus is on the Ukrainian efforts that we anticipate to try to retake more of the territory that’s been seized from Ukraine by Russia over the last 14-plus months.

I believe that the efforts that both of us have been deeply engaged in are very productive in terms of what more than I think 50 countries have been able to provide Ukraine. Secretary Austin has been leading a process, as you know, for many months where we have a coordinated process to do that. And as I’ve said repeatedly, it’s not only the weapons; it’s the training, and the UK has been engaged in significant training. It’s making sure that the Ukrainians can maintain the systems that we provide them. And it’s important, of course, that they have the right plans, again, to be successful.

My own estimation is that they have in place across all of those dimensions what they need to continue to be successful in regaining territory that was seized by force by Russia over the last 14 months.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Kylie, thank you. I’m going to take slight issue with one of the elements in your – in your question, but thank you for highlighting that the UK has been very proactive in our support for Ukraine. We are very proud of the fact that we provided the antitank – the handheld antitank missile systems ahead of the February of last year’s invasion by Russia, and those pieces of equipment proved very consequential in Ukraine’s defense of Kyiv.

But I also think it’s important that we put on record that the United States from the very start has been very active, very effective in its support, and as befits a country of the scale and power of the United States of America, it is the largest donor of the allies. So I wouldn’t want to imply that there’s either kind of competition between us or anything else. We have from the very start worked in close coordination.

The nature of our militaries is different. The natures of our political systems are different. There are some things that the UK is able to do more quickly because of the nature of our political system, and there are some things that the American system allows them to do different and better. It’s not about always trying to replicate what our allies do. That’s not the point of an alliance. The point of an alliance is that we support each other, that we reinforce each other in our work to help Ukraine defend itself. And as Secretary Blinken said, we constantly assess and coordinate with each other and with the Ukrainians to make sure that the support that we are giving them matches the needs at the time: those antitank missiles at the early stages, air-defense systems more recently, the training of their ground troops, the provision of armored vehicles and ammunition, and the ability for them to project effective force against Russian troops within Ukraine to push them out of their country. And we will continue to do so.

It is a collaborative effort. It has proven to be very, very effective. And what we’ve seen over and over again is that the Ukrainian, both politically – the Ukrainians, both politically and militarily, have learned quickly, have been relentlessly focused on using the support that we give them effectively, and have consistently outperformed expectations – certainly the expectations of Vladimir Putin.

QUESTION: Your assessment on the long-range missiles that potentially get to them?

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Well, look, you would, I’m sure, understand that anything to do with operational details about the nature, the timing, the scale of our support would be counterproductive for us to discuss publicly.

MR PATEL: We’ll next go to Mark Stone with Sky News.

QUESTION: Thank you both very much. Secretary Blinken, a question for you in a moment, if I may. But first of all, for Foreign Secretary Cleverly: It feels as though support for Ukraine is waning a little bit. You may disagree with that, but you can feel it on Capitol Hill with influential sections of the Republican Party and their base across America skeptical now about the never-ending – seemingly never-ending support for Ukraine. If Ukrainians don’t deliver a decisive victory over the next few months, how do you – how does Britain persuade America that they must continue to lead support for a Ukrainian victory? And if you can’t, what then?

And a second question for you, if I can, just a little bit more on the long-range missiles. Can you give us any assessment of whether these long-range missiles will come and what effect that will have on the battlefield?

And then in a moment for you, sir.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Well, I – I’ve said this – why don’t you put your question on record, and then (inaudible) my frame of view —

QUESTION: Yeah, okay. Sorry, I will. Yeah, of course. Secretary Blinken, I want to focus with you on American priorities, if I may. Since Ukraine – since the war started, there have been nearly 9,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine, according to the UN. In America this year, in the past five months, 15,000 people have died from gun violence; 70,000 people died last year from opioid overdoses, many of those drugs coming from China. Your argument on defending Ukraine is clear, but with so many fundamental challenges here at home and politicians telling people that security begins at home, how do you maintain support for a battle far away? Thank you.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: So firstly, on our support for Ukraine – and when I say “our,” I mean the wider alliance of friends who are supporting Ukraine. This means the UK and the United States of America and others. We need to recognize that the outcome of this conflict will have effect all over the world. I’ve said over and over again the eyes of the world are watching. They are watching how we respond to this challenge; they are watching to see our resolve. And whether it be in capital cities or non-state actors, the message that we send now is really important.

I think the message that we should send is that when we commit to something, we stick with it. We have the grit, we have the determination, we have the strategic endurance to see it through until its successful conclusion, and anyone watching should learn that lesson.

I would also make the point that, of course, there has been an economic impact on people in the United States of America and in the United Kingdom. This is not a byproduct of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is part of the conflict. Economic coercion through their restrictions of hydrocarbons, pinching off the supply of grain to the developing world – this is part of the conflict; it’s not a byproduct of the conflict. And we should recognize that if we do not re-establish the principles of the UN Charter – the foundation stone of peace in the post-Second World War era, that powerful nations cannot invade their neighbors with impunity – the world will be more dangerous, more expensive, more difficult.

So this is not just about Ukraine, though, of course, the Ukrainians have been suffering enormously and it’s right that we defend them. It is about us, and it is in our interest, as well as the Ukrainians’ interest, that we stay resolute in our support, because it will become more painful and more expensive if we do not.

And when it comes to the Ukrainians’ forthcoming counteroffensive, I’ve made the point that this is not a film. There are no certainties when it comes to conflict. The Ukrainians have consistently outperformed expectations, but there can be no guarantees in war. So we have to recognize that we are giving the Ukrainians a huge amount of support – as I’ve said, they have learned quickly; they have adapted very, very successfully, and they have defended themselves incredibly effectively – and we need to continue to support them, irrespective of whether this forthcoming offensive generates huge gains on the battlefield, because until this conflict is resolved and resolved properly, it is not over. And that’s the message that I have spoken about back home in the UK and I will continue to say to those friends and colleagues here in the United States of America as well.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. First, I can only violently agree with my friend and strongly endorse what he’s just said. We have exactly the same perspective.

Second, I would also dispute the notion of waning support. I would refer you, for example, just recently to the very strong statement made by the Speaker of the House McCarthy about support for Ukraine and the enduring support and determination to see this through.

But stepping back, there is not a zero-sum choice between some of the work that we’re doing around the world and the work that we’re doing at home. In fact, to the contrary, they’re directly linked and they’re mutually reinforcing. We’ve spent the last couple of years making historic investments in ourselves – infrastructure, our technological edge when it comes to semiconductors, making sure that the United States would continue to lead when it comes to dealing with climate change and producing the technology of the future, green technology for green economies.

At the same time, working closely with our partners, we’ve revitalized, re-engaged our alliances, our partnerships. We’ve built new ones. The net result is that we are stronger at home, and our standing around the world is at I think the highest level that I’ve seen in recent years.

And, of course, we are – I was going to say walking and chewing gum – running and chewing gum at the same time. Even as we are engaged in helping Ukraine defend itself against this Russian aggression, for all the reasons the Foreign Secretary laid out – and, as he said earlier, we are equally focused on a very broad global agenda that addresses the needs and concerns of people around the world as well as our own citizens, and, of course, we’re focused on challenges that we have at home.

You mentioned opioids, synthetic opioids like fentanyl. We’re relentlessly focused on that, and that is by definition a problem that is both local and global. We’re in the midst of building a much stronger global coalition to deal with the ravages that fentanyl is producing. In the United States, it’s the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 49. So this is right at the top of our agenda. And of course, we’re working very hard at home to deal with demand, to deal with treatment, to deal with recovery. At the same time, we’re working very closely, including with our neighbor Mexico, on the law enforcement piece to break up the cartels, to break up the financing, to interrupt the distribution. But more broadly, we’re also working to get at the global network that has the production of some of the chemicals that go into fentanyl being made halfway around the world, and then coming close to us, perhaps getting diverted into the illicit produciton of fentanyl, and then winding up in the United States. That’s exactly what the coalition that we’re building – and more on that in the coming weeks – will work to address.

We know that in the United States, when it comes to fentanyl and synthetic opioids, to some extent we’ve been the canary in the coal mine. It hit us first, and it’s hit us very hard. But as the markets become saturated in the United States, we see criminal enterprises trying to make markets elsewhere in the world, including in Europe, including in Asia. And there is a growing awareness and urgency on the part of other countries to making sure that we’re tackling this problem.

So that’s exactly what we’re doing, and we’re not only doing it at home – we’re doing it by building a very strong partnership with other countries, with the private sector, and other institutions to engage on it.

So the bottom line is these are not zero-sum choices. These are responsibilities we have: dealing with challenges we have at home, dealing with challenges we have around the world, and understanding the connections that exist between them.

MR PATEL: We’ll next go to Shaun Tandon with the AFP.

QUESTION: Hi there. Good afternoon. Another conflict that’s caused a lot of suffering: Syria. Just two days ago, the Arab League voted to readmit Syria. To both of you, do you see this at all as a failure of the efforts to isolate Assad that have been going on for many years? Specifically to Secretary Blinken, across partisan lines in Congress there are calls to continue using the Caesar Act and other authorities to prevent normalization with Assad. Is this still something that can be done, despite the reconciliation by the Arab League and by Türkiye, for that matter, with the Assad regime?

And to Foreign Secretary Cleverly, on that note as well, does the United Kingdom agree with the U.S. approach of no reconstruction aid at this point so long as Assad is there? Is that the approach that you think is beneficial?

And just briefly, if I could ask both of you if you had any – any thoughts on the events today in Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Khan was arrested; there was some violence. If you have any thoughts on that – thanks.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Shaun, thank you. Let me – let me address Syria first. A few things on that. We do not believe that Syria merits readmission to the Arab League. It’s a point we’ve made to all of our regional partners, but they have to make their own decisions. And our position is clear: We are not going to be in the business of normalizing relations with Assad and with that regime.

Having said that, we also clearly have shared goals when it comes to Syria with our partners. And I think that’s reflected in a number of the things that they’ve said. First, ultimately the only solution to the crisis inflicted on Syria by Assad has to be consistent with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 that lays out expectations for a ceasefire, for humanitarian assistance, and for free and fair elections to ensure that Syrians have a government that actually reflects the will of the Syrian people. We agree on the importance – the imperative – of expanding humanitarian access to Syria. We agree on the importance of continuing the work to degrade ISIS or Daesh, to make sure that it can’t re-emerge. And we agree on the importance of reducing Iran’s malign influence and presence in Syria, as well as more broadly in the region.

So I think the Arab perspective, as articulated through the Arab League, is they believe that they can pursue these objectives through more direct engagement. But the – we may have a different perspective when it comes to that, but the objectives that we have I think are the same. So that’s where the focus is.

I think it’s also fair to say that in terms of what’s happened over the last few years, what we’ve set out to do is to work to try to stabilize as best we could from afar the situation; to ensure, as I said, that ISIS cannot re-emerge in Syria; to expand humanitarian access. And on those criteria I think we’ve actually made some progress. Fewer Syrians have lost their lives in the last few years. It’s unfortunately a low bar given the horrors of the last decade, but that is a fact. We’ve taken ISIS leaders off the battlefield to ensure that, again, that organization couldn’t re-emerge in the way that it at one point controlled a huge chunk of Syria and used it as a base for potential attacks around the world. And the humanitarian aid has continued to flow. In fact, we’ve managed to expand it, and we even managed to continue it despite the horrific earthquake in Syria.

So I think if you look at those various metrics, we have made some progress. And again, with our Arab partners, even if we disagree on the readmission to the Arab League, the objectives that we have remain the same.

And with regard to Pakistan, of course I’ve seen the reports that you’ve alluded to, and we just want to make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law, with the constitution.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Shaun, yes. Again, this is an occasion where the UK and the U.S. share very, very similar views. I had a number of conversations with our interlocutors in the region ahead of the formal announcement of Syria’s readmission. I say to you now what I said to our friends in the region, that the UK is very uncomfortable with Syria’s readmission to the Arab League. But as Secretary Blinken said, ultimately is a decision for the membership of the Arab League.

The point that I have made is that there needs to be conditionality if they choose to take this course of action, have they done – as they have done. It needs to be conditional on some fundamental changes of behavior from Damascus and from the Assad regime. The protection of Syrians, if they choose to go back to Syria from the refugee camps in the region, needs to be assured. The Security Council Resolution 2254 needs to be at the heart of any engagement with Syria. And we cannot just wish away the actions of the Assad regime over the last few years; the brutality against Syrian people cannot just be ignored. And the UK certainly won’t brush that under the carpet.

But we do recognize that there is a huge amount of pressure on countries in the region. They seek to alleviate that pressure through engagement with the Assad government in – or the Assad regime in Damascus. (Inaudible) if they are going to do that, then my strong view is that they should make sure that any steps that they take are more than matched by fundamental changes in behavior from the Assad regime and commitments that are then adhered to in line with 2254.

Again, with regard to Pakistan, I’ve seen the headlines. I have not yet had the opportunity to be briefed in detail. The UK has a longstanding and close relationship with Pakistan. We are Commonwealth partners. We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to. I’m uncomfortable to speculate any further without having a detailed briefing on that.

MR PATEL: We’ll – final question – go to Nick Allen of The Telegraph.

QUESTION: Thank you. If I could turn to trade, please. Secretary Blinken, how do you address concerns on the other side of the Atlantic about the Inflation Reduction Act? What do you say to allies who might feel it’s protectionist at their expense?

And Foreign Secretary, in the absence of an FTA, and with the emergence of the Inflation Reduction Act, what specifically are you pushing for to boost joint economic security and the bilateral investment relationship between the two countries? For example, was there any discussion today about critical minerals and a deal similar to the one with Japan? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. I think as we’ve said over these last months, our primary focus with the Inflation Reduction Act was making sure that we’re making the appropriate investments in ourselves to make sure that we can deliver when it comes to continuing to produce the technologies that are necessary both for dealing with the climate crisis and that are going to be, I think, central to 21st century economies. And that’s what the act is all about. This is a historic commitment to dealing with climate and also a historic commitment to making sure that our economy is producing the very things that will be front and center for economies around the world over the next decades.

But as we’ve also said very clearly, the intent is broader than that in terms of making sure that, collectively, with countries around the world that have a similar approach and are of similar mind, that we’re working together to build the strongest possible collective infrastructure, supply chains, ecosystem to produce those technologies. And we’ve also worked to make sure that to the extent there were any unintended consequences coming from the act, that we’ve addressed those, and that’s what we’ve been working to do, I think successfully, over the recent months. This is not at all zero sum. On the contrary, I think it offers the prospects for a collective race to the top, not a race to the bottom when it comes to both addressing the climate crisis and making sure that our economies are producing the very technologies that are going to be front and center in the 21st century global economy and making sure that our countries collectively are doing that and that we are producing the strongest possible diversified and resilient supply chains.

All of these things are connected. I think there are profound benefits in the IRA for many of our partners around the world because, again, we will be increasingly joined in a supply chain that we’ve been working to build. So I suspect that when the prime minister is here, we’ll continue with that conversation. As the foreign secretary said, we continue to look at ways to strengthen and deepen what is already an extraordinarily strong economic partnership between our countries.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Nate, I know FTAs are often used as a shorthand for closer economic partnerships. We are not prioritizing an FTA with the United States of America because there are many areas where we can work more closely, more collaboratively, have real economic coordination that does not require the traditional kind of tariff-reducing elements of an FTA.

One of the advantages of being able to speak directly and regularly is the ability to coordinate and make sure that the completely understandable and correct desire of every government to make sure that it protects itself against future economic coercion – for example, that it protects itself against pinch points of critical elements of its supply chain, and that is right and proper that governments seek to do that.

But in doing so, it also seeks the opportunity to work closely with likeminded friends and economic allies in the same way that we are amongst the strongest defensive allies in the world as two member states of NATO. We are intelligence-sharing partners through the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing relationship. The UK is also seeking to build an economic alliance which protects the interests of the United States of America while simultaneously protecting the UK’s interests, protects standards, protects against the use of constrictions of key elements of global supply chains as a form of political or – as a form of coercion.

And all these things are best done in close coordination, which is why – whether it’s in Japan or in London or in Washington or anywhere else – we always take the opportunity to discuss, as we do the situation in Ukraine, those other immediate pressing issues, but also some of the long-term ways that we can work more collaboratively to protect those things that Tony quoted that I’ve said in the past: the things that make us healthier and wealthier and more prosperous and safer. And I have no doubt that when my prime minister comes to the United States next month that’ll be very much on the agenda that he discusses with President Biden.

MR PATEL: Thank you, Excellencies. Thank you.

FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEVERLY: Thank you.




U.S.-North Macedonia Memorandum of Understanding to Create a Strategic Counter-Disinformation Partnership
05/09/2023

U.S.-North Macedonia Memorandum of Understanding to Create a Strategic Counter-Disinformation Partnership
05/09/2023 06:34 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken on May 8, 2023, North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Dimitar Kovachevski, and U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center James P. Rubin signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining cooperation between the two NATO allies in the fight against the manipulation of information.

This MOU followed meetings held in Skopje on April 11, 2023, between the Government of North Macedonia and the U.S. Department of State. During those meetings, both sides expressed concerns about efforts by Russia and others to deploy disinformation to undermine democracy and national security around the globe. The new MOU will enable closer cooperation in the increasingly vital effort to combat misinformation and disinformation, protect democratic processes, and build resilient information ecosystems.




Under Secretary Jenkins Travels to The Hague, the Netherlands, May 11-18
05/10/2023
Under Secretary Jenkins Travels to The Hague, the Netherlands, May 11-18
05/10/2023 05:02 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to The Hague, the Netherlands to attend the opening of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Centre for Chemistry and Technology and lead the U.S. Delegation to the Fifth Chemical Weapons Convention Review Conference (CWC RevCon).

While in The Hague, the Under Secretary will deliver the U.S. National Statement to the Fifth CWC RevCon, hold bilateral meetings to discuss U.S. priorities on arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament, meet with members of civil society, and deliver remarks at side events.


U.S. Department of State Announces 2,100 Benjamin Gilman Scholars, Expanding Access to Study Abroad for American Undergraduate Students
05/10/2023


U.S. Department of State Announces 2,100 Benjamin Gilman Scholars, Expanding Access to Study Abroad for American Undergraduate Students
05/10/2023 05:13 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Working to expand access to international education opportunities to Americans across the socioeconomic spectrum, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced today that 2,100 American undergraduate students from 520 U.S. colleges and universities representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship in the latest round of scholarship awards. The Gilman Scholarship – the Department’s flagship scholarship for U.S. undergraduate students who qualify for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant – provides financial support for study or internship opportunities, with this latest cohort traveling to more than 80 countries later this year.

On average 70 percent of Gilman recipients self-identify as racial or ethnic minorities, 60 percent are from rural areas and small towns across America, and half are first generation college or university students. All are Pell Grant recipients. The Gilman Scholarship helps deliver on the Department’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in U.S. foreign policy.

In addition, this cohort includes 50 recipients of the John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship), which are awarded to the children and spousal dependents of U.S. military personnel who are active or activated during the application period. In addition, Gilman Scholars receive support from the governments of France, Germany through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Israel, New Zealand, and Wales, as well as the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) in Portugal and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO).

Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 38,000 Gilman Scholars have studied or interned in more than 160 countries around the globe.

The Gilman Scholarship is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA); it is implemented by the Institute of International Education (IIE). To learn more about the Gilman scholarship, and its recipients, including this newest cohort, visit the Gilman Scholarship website.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares at a Joint Press Availability
05/10/2023

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares at a Joint Press Availability
05/10/2023 07:56 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

José Manuel Albares, Spanish Foreign Minister

Washington, D.C.

Dean Acheson Auditorium

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s really wonderful to have my friend, the foreign minister, back at the State Department. José Manuel, welcome. It’s very good to have you.

As always, with such a close ally and friend, there is no shortage of important issues that we’re tackling together. And the conversation that we had today, not surprisingly, reflected that. We covered a lot of territory together, and let me just share some of the important points.

One of the areas we discussed was deepening our cooperation in the Western Hemisphere. Spain has long invested in expanding economic opportunity for people across the region, and it’s a key partner in supporting implementation of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which brings a regional approach to promoting safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration. We are grateful for Spain’s commitment to work with us on these Regional Processing Centers that we’re establishing, which will expand access to people in the Americas who seek safe and legal migration options to come to the United States and potentially to Spain.

These innovative centers will allow people to stay in their own countries and determine their eligibility for lawful pathways to the United States, making them less likely to undertake the dangerous and costly journey to the border to seek asylum. And the centers will be a referral point for humanitarian refugee protections in other countries, including Spain. Spain has already received hundreds of thousands of migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s committed to increase the number of people that it accepts from the region. Madrid recently created an innovative new pathway itself that will work with the private sector to match the skills of people seeking protection with the needs of Spanish businesses.

I also thanked José Manuel for Madrid’s unwavering support and partnership with and for Ukraine as it defends its people and its territory against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. Spain’s assistance has come in all forms: robust military aid, including the recent revision of Leopard 2 tanks; air defense systems; ammunition; humanitarian aid, including ambulances specially equipped to tend to the needs of women and girls; and of course, the generosity of the Spanish people, who have now welcomed more than 173,000 displaced Ukrainians into their communities.

Spain has made clear that marshaling ongoing support for Ukraine – and for the principles at the heart of the United Nations Charter, including respect for a nation’s sovereignty, territorial independence – will be a central focus of its upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is just one of the many ways that Spain is demonstrating leadership in rallying allies and partners around our shared interests and shared values.

Spain has also played a key role in shaping the Strategic Concept that we and our allies adopted at the Madrid Summit of NATO that sets out a vision for strengthening transatlantic security in the face of unprecedented challenges. And Madrid has led by example in delivering on the commitments we made in deploying additional troops to bolster NATO’s eastern flank, to strengthen the defenses of our Alliance.

We also discussed how to strengthen our longstanding efforts to defend and promote human rights. And to that end, we’re very pleased, as we just did, to welcome Spain to the Global Equality Fund, a partnership between governments and the private sector to support those on the front lines of advancing the human rights of the LGBTQI community and people around the world.

With José Manuel’s signature, Spain becomes now the 18th government to join this effort, which has dedicated over $100 million to civil society organizations and human rights defenders in more than 100 countries. Every year, that support takes the form of training and tools that make local advocates safer and more effective, and emergency assistance and legal aid to human rights defenders and LGBTQI+ persons who face violence and abuse because of who they are, who they love, or what they do. Our efforts are helping to change the views of individuals and communities, and chipping away at enduring prejudice and abuse. We will be even stronger with Spain as a partner.

We also touched upon a number of other important issues of mutual concern, including shared concern about the situation in the Sahel and the work we can do there together to help stabilize countries that are in very difficult situations. We engaged on a number of issues relating to Spain’s upcoming presidency of the European Union. And of course, we discussed how we can build on our cooperation across all of these priorities and many others when President Biden hosts President Sánchez at the White House later this week.

This includes accelerating our joint efforts to cut carbon emissions and increase energy security, expanding inclusive economic opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship, and deepening our educational exchanges and scientific collaboration – something we spent some time discussing today – all priorities that will benefit the people of our nations and people around the world. With that, José Manuel, the floor is yours.

FOREIGN MINISTER ALBARES: (Via interpreter) First of all, I would like to thank Tony Blinken for his hospitality and warmth during this trip to Washington. The Secretary of State is a good friend with whom I have had several meetings already, and these meetings have always been extremely fruitful for the relationship between our two countries. Spain and the U.S. share values and interests, such as the fight against climate change, preserving the environment, defending democracy and human rights. And on the international stage, we defend an international rule-based order and we work together on this within NATO, the G20, the UN, organizations in which we share the defense of these common values. These are the foundations upon which our relationship is based, and we would like to continue to build upon this to create stronger ties in the future.

In May, we signed the Madrid Declaration. This was the first U.S.-Spain declaration signed in two decades, which has strengthened our bilateral relationship even more in many areas. And one year later, the excellent state of our bilateral relationship is shown with the meeting that we just had and the meeting that our president of government will hold with President Biden this Friday.

This bilateral relationship is based on many ties: our businesses, which have a significant presence in both countries; our universities, who cooperate very closely; and we are also united by the strengths of our languages. We have talked about many of these issues, areas of cooperation today – our defense cooperation, our migration agreement via which Spain and the U.S. will work together in order to promote safe, humane, orderly, and regular migration from Latin American countries. We discussed Palomares as well as the renewal of the Scientific Cooperation Agreement to continue to promote working together with NASA, especially the Artemis program. We just signed an MOU to work together in one additional area: protecting the human rights of LGBTQI people through the world Equality Forum.

We unfortunately for many months have done – we’ve talked about the unjust, illegal war against Ukraine, and we talked about the transatlantic ties that tie the U.S. and Europe. Regarding the situation in Ukraine, I have discussed with Secretary Blinken the unconditional support of Spain as long as necessary with that country. We support Ukraine in its defense against the violation of its territorial sovereignty. This will – we will maintain this until peace comes once again to the borders of Ukraine and Ukraine is able to recover total sovereignty.

We also discussed how the Sahel is increasingly – has increasing geostrategic importance. We have discussed in NATO the threats that come from the southern flank, and we will continue to work to strengthen stability and development in the Sahel and coordinate our cooperation missions via AECID and USAID.

The transatlantic unity is key. It’s always key, but it’s even more so in moments like these – unity among Europeans, but also transatlantic unity with the U.S., which is a natural ally to Spain in many areas: health, energy, food security. In all of these areas, cooperation with the United States is vital.

We also spoke of the next EU summit during the presidency of Spain. This will be one of our priorities because we think that the entire Atlantic should become closer. There must be closer ties between our shores and we must create more stability and growth.

In sum, I would like to once again thank you for your hospitality, Tony. We will continue to work on these foundations of our relationship of friendship and cooperation, and that is why this week will culminate, then, with the meeting between President Biden and President Sánchez, which will show once again the excellent relationship that binds our countries.

MR PATEL: We’ll take four questions. First, Andrea Mitchell from NBC News.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Foreign Minister and Mr. Secretary. Thank you very much.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good to see you, Andrea.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, as you know, China is the largest holder of U.S. debt. With the gridlock now in Washington, are you concerned that China and Russia will try to take advantage of the economic chaos that could ensue here and the gridlock right now, and that would damage the credibility of American democracy and economic power around the world?

And I’d also like to ask you what your message is to U.S. companies – companies working in China that are being raided by the police under their new law, their counterespionage law, that accuses them of espionage for sharing data with the United States. What do you recommend that American companies do? Is there anything the U.S. can do to protect them?

And Mr. Foreign Minister, your prime minister was recently in Beijing. China’s foreign minister is now on tour in Europe and has threatened reprisals against the EU if it sanctions the Chinese companies that have supported Russia’s war machine. Would you – is the EU – should the EU punish Chinese companies and retaliate against them despite the risk that China will have reprisals against the EU?

Thank you both very much.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks very much, Andrea. On the debt ceiling, I’m not going to get ahead of the White House and our colleagues there. I think, as a general proposition, it’s proven time and again to be a bad bet to bet against the United States. But I’m not going to get ahead of the conversations that are going on now.

With regard to the treatment of some of our companies and other companies in China, I’ve seen those reports and we obviously have concerns. I mean, one of our general concerns – and it’s a concern shared by many allies and partners – is the way some of our enterprises are treated in China, certainly treated in a way that’s not reciprocal to the way that many Chinese enterprises are treated, businesses are treated, around the world. So that’s one of the challenges that I think a number of countries have. It’s something that we talk to the Chinese about. To the extent, of course, that China wants to have a positive business environment that attracts foreign investment, that attracts foreign businesses, the actions that it takes with regard to those businesses will have a big impact.

FOREIGN MINISTER ALBARES: (Via interpreter) China is a country – due to its demographic weight, its military capabilities, its economic weight – is extremely important for global challenges such as climate change or such as using the influence that it has on Russia and Vladimir Putin in order to achieve peace as soon as possible in Ukraine, because the war in Ukraine is a – it’s not a European war, but it is a war in Europe. It’s a war against the principles of the UN Charter, and China is a permanent member of the Security Council. So it is in that spirit that we work with China.

What we want with every country worldwide is equal conditions under which we receive the businesses of any country in the world and where our businesses are able to go to those countries. And in Europe, all European countries are open societies. We believe in free trade and we believe in a relationship with all countries on the planet. We do always require equal conditions for the businesses that we receive and for our businesses that go to any other country.

MR PATEL: Eduard Ribas from EFE.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much. I would like to ask the minister about the migration agreement with the U.S. Could you clarify how many migrants will be received by Spain, during what time, and especially what migratory status would these migrants have in Spain? I would also like to know if you’ve celebrated any agreements to transfer the Palomares territories and when that would happen, when that transfer might happen.

And for Mr. Secretary, same topics. Are you planning to expand the migration agreement with Spain to other European countries? And there is any U.S. commitment to keep the contaminated lands from the nuclear accident of Palomares? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER ALBARES: (Via interpreter) Regarding the migration agreement and the details of the agreement, the ministry of the interior and the ministry of inclusion, which are the two ministries in charge of deploying and implementing the agreement in and of itself, they will provide all the details in this regard.

What I would like to point out is that this agreement responds to a shared vision vis-à-vis a very complex phenomenon, which is migration. We need to offer protection to people who for different reasons may need our protection to seek refuge and asylum in each of our countries. We also need to show that irregular migration, the migration that puts so many innocent lives at risk, people who only want to legitimately improve their lives but they choose the wrong path, that is not the only path that exists. There’s also safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration.

And when all of us have labor markets, we have needs in these labor markets – we need labor in very specific industries. So we would also like to show what we’re doing already with other countries through migration programs, circular migration programs. We’d like to show that that migration path, the regular, orderly, safe path exists. And in the end, this is the best tool that we can use to discourage irregular migration. And of course, Spain will also be one of the countries that will join any initiative that may help our Latin American brothers and sisters with whom we share so many things, and so many of them area already living perfectly integrated in Spain and they promote our economic development and prosperity.

We discussed – I was saying this earlier – the Palomares area. I would like to state that both parties are willing – this is a complex issue technically speaking. It’s been 60 years that this has been ongoing, and there are a series of technical issues that we need to solve and we need to expedite before making final decisions.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. With regard to the Regional Processing Centers, these are centers that give would-be migrants the opportunity to stay in their own countries and to determine whether they have a legal pathway to come to the United States, or to Spain, because Spain is participating in this process, and Canada has also indicated its interest in participating. That means that, again, a would-be migrant can stay in their own country, go to one of these centers and find out whether they qualify for a legal pathway, including, as José Manuel laid out so clearly, a worker or labor-related pathway so that they can perhaps fill a gap that exists in a given country when it comes to its labor market.

So we are very pleased and appreciative that Spain is participating. As I mentioned, Canada is participating as well; conceivably other countries could. Needless to say, in the case of Spain, there’s a particular logic because, one, the needs of the labor markets in Spain; two, the shared language makes it particularly interesting and attractive.

With regard to Palomares, just as the minister said, first, we recognize the importance of this issue. And as he said, it goes back many years. We conducted remediation after the 1966 accident at Palomares. We now anticipate that negotiations related to further cleanup efforts will restart soon, and we very much look forward to working with our Spanish partners on this.

MR PATEL: We’ll next go to Tracy Wilkinson from The Los Angeles Times.

QUESTION: Hi, thank you. For Secretary Blinken, please, Spain – and like many countries in Southern Europe, those especially who have ties with the so-called Global South – have been more reluctant to join in the Ukraine mission. So you’ve listed a couple of steps here today, and I just wondered if this is – if you’re satisfied, if you’d like to see more coming from Spain and countries like it.

Y para el Ministro Albares, in English:

Following on my colleagues’ questions on immigration, you talked about the misión compartida, the shared mission. Is it difficult for Spain to continue to receive more immigrants and refugees given you mentioned the many who have come from Ukraine, already several – several thousand from Venezuela and Cuba, and not to mention Northern Africa? So I just wonder how politically that goes over.

And then second question on that issue, and last question, the United States talks about the root causes of immigration a lot, and one of those root causes is just dire, dire poverty. Do you – some of that poverty is exacerbated by sanctions that the United States maintains on Cuba and to a lesser extent Venezuela. And I wonder if you would think it a good idea for the United States to ease up on some of those sanctions. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Happy to start, José Manuel. Tracy, thanks very much. I have to tell you I don’t share the premise of the question. Spain has been unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It’s made that crystal clear not only through what it says but through what it does. I mentioned earlier the very strong support when it comes to making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression and to retake territory that’s been seized from it by Russia, including the provision of very important weapon systems through the process that we put in place, the coordinated effort that Secretary Austin has been leading.

You’ve seen strong support for EU sanctions on Russia to continue to exert pressure on Russia for the aggression. The humanitarian support has been remarkably strong, both in what it’s provided to Ukraine and also in the generosity of the Spanish people in taking in more than 175,000 Ukrainian refugees. So we have seen from day one extraordinary solidarity and a strong sense of common purpose and common action when it comes to supporting and defending Ukraine.

The other aspect of this that’s so important is this: Even as we together and with many other countries are working to defend Ukraine, to help Ukraine defend itself and to deal with the Russian aggression, we are relentlessly focused on the many issues that are affecting people all around the world. You mentioned the Global South. If you look at the agenda that we just had at the recent G7 meeting of foreign ministers heading toward the leaders meeting coming up, I’d say two-thirds of that was on the issues that are of most concern to people around the world and including in the Global South, whether it’s climate, whether it’s energy, whether it’s food security, whether it’s global health, whether it’s finding ways to advance inclusive economic growth, whether it’s meeting the development goals that the international community has set for itself.

Part of the challenge, of course, is that the very aggression by Russia against Ukraine has actually exacerbated some of these problems, and we’ve made that crystal clear. We are the solution to the problems, not the cause of the problem. And I think that’s been clear in the focus that we brought, including, for example, on making sure that the Black Sea Grain Initiative is extended. You have a situation now where Russia continues to try to use food as a weapon in its war against Ukraine. And Spain, the United States, many other countries are determined that that not happen because the victims in this case are people throughout the Global South who desperately need the food and desperately need to make sure that food prices are held – are held in check.

So I think we’re both deeply appreciative of Spain’s engagement and leadership on Ukraine, but also together very focused on this broad array of issues that are of fundamental concern to people around the world.

FOREIGN MINISTER ALBARES: (Via interpreter) Yes, I’d like to continue along the lines that Tony Blinken was mentioning. I wanted to correct that mistaken perception of our support for Ukraine, which is total since day one. And I said it today publicly but I’ve said it on many other occasions: It will be there for as long as necessary.

Spain denounced from day one the illegal and unjustified aggression of Russia towards Ukraine. We supported the 10 packages of sanctions from the EU towards Russia. We have supported the use of the European Peace Facility to purchase weapons for Ukraine. We were with the U.S. to meet with the International Criminal Court to prosecute for the war crimes present in Ukraine, and we do have police officers from our scientific police in Ukraine helping to collect evidence. We provided the largest humanitarian aid package ever provided by Spain to another country. We have received 170,000 Ukrainian refugees under (inaudible) specific statute and we are of course willing to receive more if this unfortunate humanitarian catastrophe were to continue. We have provided military equipment to Ukraine that includes Leopard tanks, anti-air batteries.

And of course we do speak with our friends about what is now called the Global South. We talk to our Latin American friends, we talk to our African friends, because as Tony very rightly pointed out, there is a food crisis, there is an energy crisis that is a global crisis and affects all of these countries. And we want to send the message that of course we are completely committed to Ukraine, but we are not forgetting the needs of all of these countries. That is why Spain has tripled its cooperation programs for development in Africa. In January I talked to all African Union ministers and I announced a package of millions of euros for the African Union and for insecurity situations.

When it comes to migration, this phenomenon – this is your second question – and Spain knows this issue very well. We, as a country, have a land border with Africa. It’s 14 kilometers away from Africa, and we are very familiar with the complexity of migration. And one thing we do know is that this is a global phenomenon, and therefore we must act together. And this is the spirit with which we are going to start to work with the U.S. and Canada now, as we do with many other countries, and we do this in the EU as well. We will do this in order to tackle this phenomenon, which includes irregular migration, but there are many other issues when it comes to migration.

We cannot just become resigned and – resigned to the fact that the Mediterranean and the Atlantic will be the grave of thousands of innocent people who desperately want to improve their lives. And we need to tackle the root causes as well, because while the inequality between different countries is what it is, we’re facing structural – a structural problem, and structural problems do not have one solution; rather, there is management, and part of this management is improving development cooperation programs as Spain is doing to promote regular migration programs like what we’re doing with the United States, and we do this in many other ways as well.

And regarding Cuba and Venezuela, Spain has a very special – in the best sense of the word – relationship with all Latin American and Caribbean countries. We are an authentic community of an Ibero-American family, and we want – what we want for all Latin American countries is the exact same thing that we want for Spain: prosperity, democracy, and freedom.

MR PATEL: Final question, Sara Canales, La SER.

QUESTION: (Off-mike.)

FOREIGN MINISTER ALBARES: (Via interpreter) And I will not discuss the decisions of other countries.

QUESTION: Thank you so much. Mr. Secretary, this week the U.S. has agreed to send two additional destroyer ships to the Spanish naval base in Rota, increasing the number from four to six. How will this increase in military presence impact global security? Why now? And could we see more U.S. military presence in Spain?

And then Latin America will be a big priority during Spain’s turning presidency of the EU – oh, I’m sorry – EU, yeah. How can the U.S. through this relationship with Spain benefit from this? What message does this send to the competitors such as China?

(Via interpreter) Regarding Title 42, Minister, there’s a lot of uncertainty and political divisions in the U.S. regarding the border as of Friday. Are you worried about this uncertainty in Spain? Are there guarantees from Washington, assurances that the situation can be kept under control? How have other EU countries seen this agreement?

And when it comes to Palomares, you’ve talked about complexity, but could it be resolved before 2024?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. So we were very pleased to be able to sign the Defense Cooperation Agreement with Spain, the enhanced agreement, and I think it’s simply a reflection of the fact that one of the important aspects of our relationship is our cooperation in the realm of defense. And of course, we’re joined together as NATO Allies. Spain is playing a critical role in NATO. In fact, the work that it’s done since the Russian aggression against Ukraine to help reinforce the eastern flank of NATO is essential to the work of the Alliance and making sure that all of our members are defended.

And in this context but also in the broader context of shared security interests, having stronger defense coordination, cooperation between us is important. That is one aspect of the relationship. I’m not going to predict any future deployments one way or the other; that’s really up to our military experts and officials to determine. But we’re very pleased that we were able to reach this agreement and strengthen and deepen even more the cooperation that we have on defense.

And again, I emphasize it’s on defense. The work that we’re doing together is to defend our people, to defend our interests, to defend our values, to defend ourselves at a time when there are increasing challenges to our common security.

With regard to Spain’s EU presidency, we welcome it for a number of reasons. One is, exactly as you say, the close relationship that we have, the extraordinary breadth and depth of our dialogue, I think will also be very beneficial when it comes to the relationship between the United States and the European Union, something that we have invested in very significantly over the last two and a half years.

The entire premise of President Biden’s approach to foreign policy and to U.S. engagement in the world starts with the re-engagement, the re-energizing, the rejuvenation of our core partnerships and our core alliances, and one of our core partnerships is with the European Union. We have an extraordinarily rich agenda with the EU. One aspect of that agenda is how we see some of the challenges posed by China, and I think what we’ve seen over the last couple of years is a remarkable convergence in the approach that we’re both taking. And I think if you look at the different articulations of policy that have put out, as well as the work that we’ve actually been doing – including, for example, through the Trade and Technology Council – with the EU, you see that convergence.

And I think there’s a shared understanding that the relationship that we all have with China has aspects that are clearly competitive. There may be aspects that are adversarial, and it’s our determination to make sure that competition does not veer into conflict. And there are aspects that can and should be cooperative because they’re important things that might be important to our citizens as well as to people around the world that we should look and find ways to do together.

And I think the EU, European partners, have very much the same perspective. The EU is one place where we can really continue to work on the details of how that convergence of views translates into specific policies, and having Spain in a leadership role I think will only advance those efforts.

FOREIGN MINISTER ALBARES: (Via interpreter) Regarding migration, there’s several things. Migration is a global phenomenon, and we see it everywhere worldwide, and this is a challenge that we need to tackle from a – using a multilateral approach. Spain has a way of handling this challenge which includes constantly fighting against the mafias that smuggle human beings, a political dialogue with the origin and transit countries to offer regular pathways for migration – orderly migration – and to protect those who do warrant refuge and asylum in our countries.

And especially we must – we fight against the deeply rooted causes of migration, and that is why this year we passed a new law for development cooperation that puts Central America and Africa at the center of our cooperation. And we have tripled our cooperation programs in many countries.

Now, when it comes to the Palomares soil, there are technical aspects there that we must discuss at the technical level, not at the political level, and that is where we will set the different stages that must be followed. The important thing is that the will is there in our dialogue.

MR PATEL: Thank you.


Joint Statement on Spain Joining the Global Equality Fund
05/10/2023

Joint Statement on Spain Joining the Global Equality Fund
05/10/2023 06:23 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The text of the following joint statement was issued by the Governments of the United States and Spain on the occasion of Spain joining the Global Equality Fund:

Begin text:

The United States and Spain recognize that all human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love. Promoting and protecting the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons is an important part of our shared foreign policy objectives.

Consistent with its commitment to these values, Spain formally announced it would join the Global Equality Fund as a donor Partner. Today, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Albares participated in a signing ceremony to mark this commitment. The Global Equality Fund (GEF), a public-private partnership administered by the United States, is built on its Partners’ shared commitment to advancing freedom, equality, and dignity for all. With Spain’s announcement, the GEF Partnership now consists of 18 government donors and 10 private donors.

Through the Global Equality Fund, like-minded governments, foundations, and corporations provide support to civil society organizations working to promote inclusion and respect for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.

The United States and Spain will continue to work to ensure that all people – including LGBTQI+ persons – can live in dignity, freedom, and equality.

Global Equality Fund Partners include the Governments of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United States of America, and Uruguay, as well as the Arcus Foundation, the John D. Evans Foundation, the M•A•C AIDS Fund, Deloitte LLP, the Royal Bank of Canada, Hilton Worldwide, Bloomberg L.P., and Out Leadership.

End text.


Secretary Blinken’s Call with European Council President Michel
05/10/2023

Secretary Blinken’s Call with European Council President Michel
05/10/2023 09:28 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with European Council President Charles Michel. Secretary Blinken and President Michel reaffirmed U.S. and EU support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. They also discussed opportunities for supporting a sustainable and durable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.


Assistant Secretary Noyes Travels to Geneva and Mexico City
05/11/2023

Assistant Secretary Noyes Travels to Geneva and Mexico City
05/11/2023 11:15 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes will travel to Geneva, Switzerland from May 12 – 17 and Mexico City, Mexico from May 17 – 19.

In Geneva, Assistant Secretary Noyes joins the U.S. delegation supporting Amy Pope in the election for Director General of the International Organization for Migration.

In Mexico City, Assistant Secretary Noyes will meet with government officials and international organizations working on integration for asylum seekers and refugees, together with Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of the TENT Partnership for Refugees.




Counselor Chollet’s Travel to Sweden
05/11/2023

Counselor Chollet’s Travel to Sweden
05/11/2023 05:27 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Counselor of the Department Derek Chollet will travel to Stockholm, Sweden from May 11 – May 14 to lead the U.S. delegation at the May 13 EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum co-chaired by Sweden during its Presidency of the Council of the EU. At the forum, Counselor Chollet will meet with government officials and other leaders to discuss supporting stronger European connections with the Indo-Pacific. He will meet with Swedish government leaders from across the EU to discuss Sweden’s NATO accession, support to Ukraine, challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China, and the Arctic. This visit underscores the enduring U.S. commitment to the peace, stability, prosperity, and security of the region, as well as our commitment to continued close collaboration with the EU and partners in the Indo-Pacific.




Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Descôtes
05/11/2023


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Descôtes
05/11/2023 05:23 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Anne-Marie Descôtes. The Deputy Secretary and the Secretary General reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s unprovoked and brutal war. They also discussed the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Deputy Secretary Sherman and Secretary General Descôtes highlighted their commitment to advancing peace and reconciliation efforts in the South Caucasus. They also discussed ways to promote security and stability in Africa.




U.S. Delegation on Atrocity Prevention and Response Travels to Denmark and Germany
05/12/2023

U.S. Delegation on Atrocity Prevention and Response Travels to Denmark and Germany
05/12/2023 09:29 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne A. Witkowsky will lead a delegation composed of Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Development, Global Health, and Humanitarian Response Paula Tufro; Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack; Senior Official to the Secretary of State in the Office of Global Women’s Issues Katrina Fotovat; Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Christopher Le Mon; and Bureau of International Organization Affairs official Lauren Platukis, that will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, May 14-16 to meet with allies and partners to discuss collaboration on atrocity prevention and response efforts.

The delegation will participate in the International Atrocity Prevention Working Group spring session while in Copenhagen. Discussions will focus on global atrocity prevention efforts, including atrocity early warning, international partnership envisioned in the U.S. Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent, and Respond to Atrocities, and mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes. Also in Copenhagen, Assistant Secretary Witkowsky will meet with Danish government counterparts regarding our deep and longstanding transatlantic commitment to European security and coordination.

Assistant Secretary Witkowsky will continue onward to Stuttgart, Germany, May 16-18 for meetings with U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command leaders. Her discussions will highlight the importance of U.S. diplomatic and defense sector collaboration, including in the long-term implementation of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability with partners in Africa. She will also discuss areas of civilian-military collaboration in support of activities in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe.

Please contact CSOPublicAffairs1@state.gov for media inquiries and follow @StateCSO on Twitter for updates.




United States Supports Education and Training of Next Generation Advanced Civil Nuclear Workforce through Launch of Small Modular Reactor Control Room Simulator in Romania
05/12/2023


United States Supports Education and Training of Next Generation Advanced Civil Nuclear Workforce through Launch of Small Modular Reactor Control Room Simulator in Romania
05/12/2023 10:15 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Today, U.S. Ambassador to Romania Kathleen Kavalec and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ann Ganzer joined Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă, Minister of Energy Virgil Popescu, Politechnica University Rector Mihnea Costoiu, and industry executives to officially launch the first NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center outside the United States at University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania. The E2 Center, a simulator of the NuScale Power’s VOYGR™ small modular reactor (SMR) power plant control room, will educate and train the next generation of nuclear engineers to operate advanced civil nuclear reactor technologies while establishing Romania as a regional educational and training hub for the next stage of civil nuclear deployments across Romania and Europe. It will provide an innovative learning environment that supports workforce development and offers users a hands-on opportunity to apply nuclear science and engineering principles through simulated, real-world nuclear power plant operation scenarios.

The E2 Center simulator fulfills the commitment made by Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, at the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26). As part of the “Nuclear Futures Package,” the Under Secretary announced a SMR simulator to support Romania’s ambitious civil nuclear energy program and stated desire to be a SMR hub in the region. Romania, with more than 26 years of experience in safe nuclear power operations and performance is an ideal partner in deploying the first SMR in Europe. This technical assistance builds upon the U.S.-Romania Intergovernmental Agreement for cooperation on Romania’s civil nuclear power program (IGA) signed in December 2020, cementing a multi-decade relationship on civil nuclear advancement.

Participating partners for the E2 Center include a multinational consortium from NuScale, SN Nuclearelectrica, RoPower, and Politehnica University. The Center is supported by the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) capacity building program. FIRST supports Romania’s leadership in being a trailblazer in Europe to deploy SMR technology, and in training the workforce of the future to advance climate action, energy security, and energy access throughout Europe and the world.

The United States is committed to supporting the use of innovative clean energy technologies to power global decarbonization efforts and providing options to achieve net zero transition in hard-to-abate energy sectors.




Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Geneva May 14-16, 2023
05/12/2023


Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Geneva May 14-16, 2023
05/12/2023 04:32 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel May 14-16, 2023, to Geneva, Switzerland. While in Geneva, Under Secretary Zeya will lead the U.S. delegation participating in the Sixth Special Session of the United Nations (UN) International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council to elect IOM’s next Director General. She will also participate in an event hosted by the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva on climate and mobility in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).




Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
05/12/2023

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
05/12/2023 06:30 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today. The two discussed ongoing preparations for Ukraine’s counteroffensive, including how contributions from international partners can support its success. Secretary Blinken noted Ukraine’s sovereignty is vital to peace and security in Europe and reiterated the U.S. commitment to holding Russia to account, underscoring President Biden’s pledge to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.


Special Envoy Fowler Travels to Rome and Prague
05/13/2023

Special Envoy Fowler Travels to Rome and Prague
05/13/2023 03:55 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Department of State Special Envoy for Global Food Security Dr. Cary Fowler will travel to Rome, Italy, May 13-21 to advance U.S. global food security priorities in support of building climate-resilient and nutritious food systems in Africa. Afterward, he will travel to Prague, Czech Republic, May 22-24 to highlight the importance of healthy soils as a way for building sustainable agricultural production and reducing food insecurity.

In Rome, Dr. Fowler will participate in the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (VACS) Phase 1 Technical Workshop, which is being organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in partnership with the African Union Commission and the Office of Global Food Security, and through the generous support of the Rockefeller Foundation. VACS, a part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative, seeks to support the adaptation of crops to climate change and promote healthy soils. The workshop will convene approximately 40 global stakeholders with expertise in nutrition, agriculture, and climate adaptation sectors, who together with VACS technical partners, will identify a list of the most important traditional African crops within the five AU economic sub-regions.

In Prague, Dr. Fowler will attend the International Fertilizer Association Board of Directors meeting and will address industry executives on U.S. global food security priorities. His remarks will encourage government and private sector collaboration to meet the complexities of the current global food crisis. He will also emphasize restoring depleted soils into fertile and fertilized resources, paired with nutritious and productive crops.

Dr. Fowler will also participate in a roundtable discussion with representatives from the fertilizer industry and will highlight Feed the Future. In the discussion, he will underscore the U.S. government’s approach to adapting agricultural systems in Africa through investments in plant breeding of nutritious crops and through improvements in soil health.




Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Verma’s Travel to Poland, Moldova, and Romania
05/14/2023
Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Verma’s Travel to Poland, Moldova, and Romania
05/14/2023 06:08 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Richard Verma will travel to Poland, Moldova, and Romania May 14-20. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Assistant Secretary Todd D. Robinson, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Assistant Secretary Jessica Lewis, and Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia Maria A. Longi will join the Deputy Secretary on his trip.

While in Poland, the Deputy Secretary will emphasize the United States’ commitment to our European Allies and partners, Transatlantic security, and our shared democratic values. In Moldova, he will highlight U.S. support for Moldova’s European trajectory, energy security, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In Romania, he will focus on advancing our Strategic Partnership and shared goals, our continued and unwavering support for Ukraine and Moldova, as well as strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank and security in the Black Sea region.




Release of Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Weapons
05/15/2023

Release of Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Weapons
05/15/2023 09:00 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Continuing with its tradition of transparency despite Russia’s purported suspension of New START, the United States has voluntarily released aggregate numbers of U.S. strategic offensive arms under the New START Treaty’s central limits on nuclear weapons.

The United States continues to view transparency among nuclear weapon states as extremely valuable for reducing the likelihood of misperception, miscalculation, and costly arms competitions. In recent years, the United States has taken many steps to strengthen transparency, predictability, and stability in the nuclear space. Such measures are especially important in periods of high tension.

The United States calls on the Russian Federation to comply with its legally-binding obligations by returning to full implementation of the New START Treaty and all the stabilizing transparency and verification measures contained within it.


The Department of State Announces Reward Offer Against Russian Ransomware Actor
05/16/2023

The Department of State Announces Reward Offer Against Russian Ransomware Actor
05/16/2023 11:45 AM EDT



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The impacts of ransomware attacks are significant and far-reaching, with victims suffering loss and disclosure of sensitive information and disruption of critical services.  Russia is a safe haven for cybercriminals, an environment in which ransomware actors are free to conduct malicious cyber operations against the United States and our partners and allies.

Today, the State Department is announcing a reward offer, under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP), of up to $10 million, for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Russian national Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev for transnational organized crime. We are taking these actions Matveev for his role in ransomware incidents targeting U.S. law enforcement, businesses, and critical infrastructure around the world.

In conjunction with this action, the Department of Justice unsealed two indictments against Matveev in the District of Columbia and the District of New Jersey. The Treasury Department also imposed financial sanctions on Matveev.

*****

Any information in response to this reward offer should be directed to the FBI here. Treasury designated Matveev pursuant to Executive Order 13694, as amended. For more information about this designation, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release.  For more information on Matveev, please visit the TOCRP page at state.gov.




Condemning the Arrest of Robert Shonov
05/16/2023
Condemning the Arrest of Robert Shonov
05/16/2023 12:54 PM EDT



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The United States strongly condemns the reported arrest of Robert Shonov, a former employee of U.S. Mission Russia. The allegations against Mr. Shonov are wholly without merit. Mr. Shonov is a Russian national who was employed by the U.S. Consulate General in Vladivostok for more than 25 years. Following the Russian government’s April 2021 order forcing termination of all local staff employed at the U.S. Mission to Russia, Mr. Shonov was employed by a company contracted to provide services to U.S. Embassy in Moscow in strict compliance with Russia’s laws and regulations.

Like any diplomatic mission in the world – including the Russia’s Mission in the United States – the U.S. Embassy contracts for local services to operate its diplomatic mission. Mr. Shonov’s only role at the time of his arrest was to compile media summaries of press items from publicly available Russian media sources. His being targeted under the “confidential cooperation” statute highlights the Russian Federation’s blatant use of increasingly repressive laws against its own citizens.




Secretary Blinken’s Call with Dutch Foreign Minister Hoekstra
05/16/2023

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Dutch Foreign Minister Hoekstra
05/16/2023 01:36 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra. Secretary Blinken thanked Foreign Minister Hoekstra for Dutch assistance to evacuate U.S. citizens from Sudan and for the Netherlands’ unwavering support for Ukraine. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed shared security concerns in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Secretary reiterated our shared values and shared commitment to deepening transatlantic unity and our NATO alliance.




Norway National Day
05/17/2023

Norway National Day
05/17/2023 12:01 AM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Norway in celebration of Constitution Day.

The United States and Norway have enjoyed a long tradition of friendly relations, deeply rooted in the democratic values shared by our Constitutions. As founding NATO Allies, we are committed to defend each other and our shared principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. Norway has been a leader in addressing global challenges and the United States appreciates our close coordination in responding to authoritarian regimes that seek to repress fundamental freedoms and undermine peace. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine as we provide support to that country’s self-defense against Russia’s unprovoked, brutal war. The United States commends Norway’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine – through the aid of refugees and long-term financial support – at home and overseas.

Together, our nations will collaborate on solutions to overcome the climate crisis, address global challenges, and work on key priorities in the Arctic through Norway’s leadership of the Arctic Council. I look forward to strengthening our partnership in the years to come.

Best wishes on this special day. Gratulerer med dagen!




United States and Moldova Sign Open Skies Agreement
05/18/2023

United States and Moldova Sign Open Skies Agreement
05/18/2023 12:55 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

On May 18 in Chisinau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma and Moldova Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Lilia Dabija, with Prime Minister Dorin Recean, signed an Open Skies Air Transport Agreement (“Agreement”) between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Republic of Moldova — the first bilateral air transport agreement negotiated by the two countries.

The Agreement establishes a modern civil aviation relationship with Moldova. It includes unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities. The Agreement will be applied provisionally once signed and will enter into force following an exchange of diplomatic notes confirming that all necessary internal procedures for entry into force of the Agreement have been completed.

This Agreement with Moldova will expand our strong economic and commercial partnership, promote people-to-people ties, and create new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers. Air carriers can provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, promoting tourism and commerce. The Agreement also commits both governments to high standards of aviation safety and security.

The new Agreement builds on a framework of U.S. Open Skies agreements with over 130 other partners that enable U.S. air carriers to operate and expand flight networks beyond America’s borders and connect the U.S. economy to growing markets.

For further information, please contact the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Press Office at EB-Press-Inquiry@state.gov for press inquiries. Information on U.S. aviation policy and Open Skies agreements is available on the Department of State’s website here: https://www.state.gov/air-transport-agreements/




Democracy Collection Launches Traveling Exhibition: “A More Perfect Union: American Artists and the Currents of our Time”
05/18/2023

Democracy Collection Launches Traveling Exhibition: “A More Perfect Union: American Artists and the Currents of our Time”
05/18/2023 02:48 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ Office of Art in Embassies is launching a traveling exhibition as part of a year-long initiative for its 60th Anniversary called the Democracy Collection. The exhibition, “A More Perfect Union: American Artists and the Currents of Our Time,” opens to the public on May 25th at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, moves to Lisbon, Portugal, in June, and arrives in Geneva, Switzerland, during the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council Session on June 29.

At each location, U.S. embassies will host art-filled public diplomacy events on democracy. U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis will host Partners in Democracy, a symposium featuring emerging voices and thought leaders—among them documentary photographer Platon whose portraits of world leaders grace the covers of Time and other magazines—who will discuss the current challenges democracies face.

U.S. Embassy Lisbon, led by Ambassador Randi Charno Levine, will host a three-day program, starting with the Democracy Collection exhibition, reception, and discussion at the Catholic University of Portugal. The exhibition will be followed by a series of workshops, panel discussions, and public events hosted by its partners at the Central Tejo at Museu da Electricidade and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Iconic American artists from both Ambassador Levine’s Art in Embassies exhibition, “Celebrating Diversity: Democracy and Representation in Contemporary Art,” and the Democracy Collection (Sanford Biggers, Nick Cave; Deborah Kass; Maya Lin; Christopher Myers; Aliza Nisenbaum; Amy Sherald; Dr. Deborah Willis; Hank Willis Thomas) will join Portuguese artists for in-depth discussions on various DEIA topics, which are central to democracy and diplomacy. The program will culminate in a celebration at Ambassador Levine’s official residence showcasing the Celebrating Diversity exhibition.

In Geneva, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council Michèle Taylor will host civil rights singer turned painter Joan Baez for a salon-style dialogue on the ideals of democracy and the intersection of art and activism. The evening will also feature a musical performance by alumni of the U.S. Fulbright program. Ambassador Taylor and the Xippas Gallery will then host an opening reception for the exhibition, with guest speakers to include environmental artist Alexis Rockman and former White House Arts Advisor and actor Kal Penn. The exhibition will be on display at the Xippas Gallery and open to the public from June 29 to July 24. The Office of Art in Embassies’ Democracy Collection initiative puts artists at the forefront of defending democracy. The initiative includes a traveling exhibition, scores of artist visits to U.S. embassies in every hemisphere, and a democracy-themed art contest for middle and high school students.

The Office is raising funds to store, care for, and ship art to posts worldwide, with support from partners such as The Boeing Company, Ford Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, United Airlines, Microsoft, AT&T, Salamander Hotels and Resorts, Xippas Gallery, and scores of individual philanthropists and collectors who have donated time, funds, and artworks to this effort.

The U.S. Department of State established the Office of Art in Embassies in 1963, adapting a program started ten years earlier at the Museum of Modern Art. The exhibitions and collections created by the office play a vital role in our nation’s public diplomacy. The works are carefully selected to reflect the pride and innovation of America’s cultural sector and to make cross-cultural connections in the regions and states in which they are displayed. Art in Embassies curates permanent and temporary exhibitions for over 200 U.S. embassies and official residences across the globe.

For more information about Art in Embassies visit art.state.gov.

Press inquiries can be sent to Megan Pannone at PannoneM@state.gov.




Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Sweden and France
05/19/2023

Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Sweden and France
05/19/2023 12:36 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne A. Witkowsky will travel to Stockholm, Sweden, and Paris, France, May 22-26 for discussions with allies and partners on a range of conflict prevention, stabilization, and strategic coordination issues.

In Stockholm, Assistant Secretary Witkowsky, USAID Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization Robert Jenkins, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Stabilization Policy James Saenz will participate in a meeting of the Stabilization Leaders Forum. The Forum will explore avenues for greater collaboration, including partnership-based, long-term efforts underway through the implementation of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability.

The Assistant Secretary will travel onward to Paris for high-level meetings with French government counterparts to underscore both new opportunities to collaborate through the Strategy and our deep and longstanding transatlantic commitment to European security and coordination. She will also discuss means for further engagement with, and through, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development for the Strategy’s implementation.

Please contact CSOPublicAffairs1@state.gov for media inquiries and follow @StateCSO on Twitter for updates.




United States Imposes Additional Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia in Coordination with International Partners
05/19/2023

United States Imposes Additional Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia in Coordination with International Partners
05/19/2023 12:51 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

In coordination with the G7, Australia, and other partners, the United States is imposing new sanctions today on Russia for its illegal war in Ukraine. Today’s actions implement new commitments made at the G7 Leaders’ Summit and demonstrate our shared resolve to hold Russia accountable for its mounting atrocities in Ukraine. These sanctions also reinforce the commitment the United States and its partners have made to taking action against those who aid the Kremlin in Ukraine by circumventing our sanctions and export control measures.

As part of these actions, the Department of State is imposing sanctions on or identifying as blocked property over 200 entities, individuals, vessels, and aircraft. Today’s actions include designations of targets across Russia’s defense and related materiel, technology, and metals and mining sectors. Our actions also include the designation of entities and individuals involved in expanding Russia’s future energy production and capacity. And we are continuing to target entities and individuals that have engaged in the systematic and unlawful deportation of Ukraine’s children and the theft and transportation of stolen grain from Ukraine.

Today’s actions also include designations of an international network of entities engaged in the procurement of components for the Russia-based entity responsible for the manufacture of the Orlan drone, which Russian forces are currently employing in their illegal war against Ukraine, and the Russia-installed puppet authorities in parts of Ukraine’s territory.

We are taking these steps in coordination with further sanctions being imposed by the Department of the Treasury today and additional export control measures announced by the Department of Commerce. The United States will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

# # #

The Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on over 120 entities and individuals, including dozens of third-country actors connected to sanctions evasion activities. Treasury also is issuing a new determination identifying the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and transportation sectors of the Russian Federation economy pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, which authorizes sanctions to be imposed on any person determined to operate or to have operated in any of those sectors. Additionally, Treasury is issuing a determination pursuant to E.O. 14071, prohibiting the exportation, re-exportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of architecture services or engineering services to any person located in the Russian Federation, in alignment with G7 partners. The Department of Commerce is issuing two rules to expand the territorial reach and categories covered by its U.S. export control measures and add 71 entities to the Entity List to prevent Russia from accessing goods key to the battlefield. Commerce is also issuing a joint alert with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to urge continued vigilance by U.S. financial institutions against potential Russian export control violations. For more information on today’s actions, please see the G7 Leaders’ Statement on Ukraine, the Department of State’s fact sheet, the Department of the Treasury’s press release, and the Department of Commerce press release.




Assistant Secretary Stewart Travels to London, Geneva, and Brussels
05/19/2023

Assistant Secretary Stewart Travels to London, Geneva, and Brussels
05/19/2023 02:09 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

From May 22-26, 2023, Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Mallory Stewart, will travel to London, United Kingdom; Geneva, Switzerland; and Brussels, Belgium.

In London, May 23-24, she will hold a series of bilateral meetings with UK counterparts and attend the European Trilateral Track 2 Nuclear Dialogues.

In Geneva, she will deliver remarks to the Conference on Disarmament and conduct bilateral and multilateral meetings with CD officials. She will also participate in briefings with members of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative.

In Brussels, Assistant Secretary Stewart will participate in briefings at NATO headquarters.




The Fifth Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
05/20/2023

The Fifth Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
05/20/2023 08:15 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Upon the completion of the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the United States reiterates its unwavering commitment to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. We commend the constructive efforts of a wide range of States Parties and their commitment to seeking a consensual outcome. We regret that the Russian Federation repeatedly obstructed these efforts to negotiate in good faith throughout the process and prevented consensus on a final outcome document despite the majority of the issues receiving broad support. More than 70 delegations, including the United States, joined a statement pledging to advance a positive agenda for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

We express our deepest appreciation for the leadership of Ambassador Lauri Kuusing for the yearlong preparation of the Fifth Review Conference, as well as the work of the Chair of the Committee of the Whole, Ambassador José Antonio Zabalgoitia, and the Chair of the Review Conference, Ambassador Henk Cor van der Kwast. The United States remains determined to advance the work of the OPCW and contribute to the capacity of States Parties to counter the threat of chemical weapons while holding those accountable, including Syria and Russia, for their possession and use of chemical weapons.




Over 1,500 Political Prisoners in Belarus
05/20/2023

Over 1,500 Political Prisoners in Belarus
05/20/2023 09:21 AM EDT



The Secretary of State

On the eve of the Day of Solidarity with Belarusian Political Prisoners, we condemn the Lukashenka regime in Belarus for unjustly holding over 1,500 political prisoners.

These men and women have been arrested and incarcerated for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms in pursuit of Belarusian democracy, for protesting a fraudulent election, or for opposing Russia’s war against Ukraine. Many of their trials were held behind closed doors, shielded from public scrutiny or accountability. Their families, friends, coworkers, and others live every day with the thought of their loved ones suffering in jail. Recently, Belarusian authorities have resorted to shutting off any contact with the outside world for political prisoners like Viktar Babaryka, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, Mikalai Statkevich, Maria Kalesnikava, Maksim Znak, Ales Bialiatski, and Ihar Losik. For many, their families and legal representatives have been unable for several months to communicate with them or to confirm where they are being held. Sadly, most political prisoners’ names are not well known.

The United States stands with the people of Belarus as they seek a future based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and an accountable, democratically elected government. We reiterate our strong desire to see the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners held by the Lukashenka regime, and we call on Belarus to meet its international legal obligations, as well as its commitments as a participating State of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The United States is committed to promoting accountability for perpetrators of human rights violations in Belarus and to raising the costs associated with their abuses, including by imposing visa restrictions and sanctions.




The United States and Multinational Public-Private Partners Look to Provide Up To $275 Million to Advance the Romania Small Modular Reactor Project; United States Issues Letters of Interest for Up To $4 Billion in Project Financing
05/20/2023


The United States and Multinational Public-Private Partners Look to Provide Up To $275 Million to Advance the Romania Small Modular Reactor Project; United States Issues Letters of Interest for Up To $4 Billion in Project Financing
05/20/2023 01:48 PM EDT



Today, at the G7 Leaders Summit in Hiroshima, President Biden announced concrete steps to implement the vision of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) to mobilize $600 billion by 2027 in infrastructure investments around the world. The announcement included public-private support for the Romania small modular reactor (SMR) project from the United States, Japan, Republic of Korea, and United Arab Emirates of up to $275 million, which includes a Letter of Interest from U.S Export-Import Bank (EXIM) for up to $99 million from the EXIM Engineering Multiplier Program. In addition, EXIM and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) issued Letters of Interest for potential support of up to $3 billion and $1 billion, respectively, for project deployment. Together with new pledges by Romania, these commitments demonstrate the power of multinational cooperation and public-private partnership on transformative infrastructure projects and will move forward Romania’s leading-edge SMR project, based on the U.S. firm NuScale Power LLC technology, towards deployment in 2029.

The Romania SMR project will replace a former coal plant at Doicesti with clean power and will capitalize on the experience gained on the first SMR project under development in the United States at the Carbon Free Power Project in Idaho. The Doicesti SMR project builds on over a quarter century of Romania’s safe and secure nuclear power plant operation experience.

Partners advancing the SMR project include Japan Bank for International Cooperation (Japan); DS Private Equity (Republic of Korea); EXIM Bank Romania, S.N. Nuclearelectrica S.A., Nova Power & Gas S.R.L. (Romania); Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC, United Arab Emirates); DFC and EXIM (United States). Commitments will support procurement of long lead materials, finalization of front-end engineering and design (FEED) work, provision of project management expertise, site characterization and regulatory analyses, and precise schedule and budget estimates for project execution. ENEC’s involvement in the Romanian SMR project, through in-kind contribution of nuclear experts, represents the first nuclear energy-focused activity undertaken within the U.S.-UAE Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) platform. PACE was launched in November 2022 to catalyze $100 billion in financing, investment, and other support to deploy 100 new gigawatts of clean energy capacity by 2035, delivering further momentum and impact on the road to the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which the UAE will host in November 2023.

This multilateral endeavor to deploy safe and secure civil nuclear technology is a testament to the essential role nuclear energy plays in the global clean energy transition and meeting our collective goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The United States is committed to supporting the use of innovative clean energy technologies to power global decarbonization efforts and provide energy security and independence to partners around the world.




Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Landberg’s Travel to Malta, Belgium
05/22/2023

Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Landberg’s Travel to Malta, Belgium
05/22/2023 04:12 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Christopher Landberg travels to Malta and Belgium May 22-26 to participate in the Governing Board of Administrators meeting of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) and to lead U.S. participation in a strategic dialogue on counterterrorism with the European Union (EU).

In Valletta, Malta, Acting Coordinator Landberg will affirm U.S. support for the IIJ, an international platform to strengthen the rule of law, international norms, and principles of democratic governance. The Governing Board will discuss the IIJ’s role in strengthening countries’ ability to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate terrorism cases, to incarcerate convicted terrorists effectively and humanely, and to sever terrorists’ systems of support, preventing radicalization to violence and promoting reintegration.

In Brussels, Belgium, he will engage with EU counterparts on counterterrorism issues of shared interest, including countering ISIS and its affiliates, addressing global terrorism threats, and countering racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism.




Georgia National Day 2023
05/26/2023

Georgia National Day 2023
05/26/2023 12:01 AM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I wish the people of Georgia a happy Independence Day.

The people of Georgia understand deeply the value of independence, freedom, and democracy. Despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and ongoing occupation of 20 percent of Georgia’s territory, the people of Georgia have shown an unwavering determination to pursue their Euro-Atlantic future. We recognize and condemn Russia’s behavior of aggression, including in the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia and subsequent and ongoing occupation. We steadfastly support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

During the 31 years of our bilateral relationship, the United States has been proud to support Georgia’s efforts to advance democratic development, combat corruption, strengthen rule of law, diversify the economy, and build a prosperous future. Together, our countries have also worked side by side to bring stability and peace to Georgia, the region, and the world.

On this day of celebration for Georgians everywhere, I reaffirm the United States’ continuing commitment to helping Georgia build the secure, prosperous, European democracy its citizens want and so richly deserve.




Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center Rubin’s Travel to Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Belgium
05/26/2023

Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center Rubin’s Travel to Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Belgium
05/26/2023 08:05 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center James P. Rubin will travel from May 28 to June 3, to Bratislava, Slovakia; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Brussels, Belgium.

In Bratislava, Special Envoy Rubin will attend the GLOBSEC 2023 Bratislava Forum to advance regional security coordination.

At each stop Special Envoy Rubin will meet with local government and EU officials as well as civil society representatives to solidify support for counter disinformation initiatives.  He will discuss ongoing efforts by Russia and other actors who deploy disinformation to undermine democracy and national security, and how our nations can collectively counter threats in the information space.


Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Sweden, Norway, and Finland
05/26/2023

Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Sweden, Norway, and Finland
05/26/2023 09:15 AM EDT



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Sweden, Norway, and Finland from May 29 to June 2 to deepen transatlantic cooperation on top national security and economic priorities.

Secretary Blinken will travel to Luleå, Sweden May 29-31, where he will co-chair, together with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Tai, the fourth meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council to accelerate the global clean tech transition, hold Russia accountable and support Ukraine, and increase trade and technology cooperation. He will also meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

From May 31-June 1, Secretary Blinken will be in Oslo, Norway, where he will participate in an informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs to discuss preparations for the July NATO Summit in Vilnius, support for Ukraine, and other Transatlantic priorities with Allies and invitee Sweden. He will also meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

On June 1-2, Secretary Blinken will be in Helsinki, Finland, where he will highlight our strong bilateral relationship with our newest NATO Ally. On Friday, the Secretary will meet with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. Additionally on Friday, the Secretary will give a speech in Helsinki to highlight all the ways in which Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been a strategic failure, and our continued efforts to support Ukraine’s defense of its territory, sovereignty, and democracy in pursuit of a just and durable peace.


Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Dereck Hogan, Senior Advisor for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Ruth Berry On the Secretary’s Upcoming Travel to Sweden, Norway, and Finland
05/26/2023

Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Dereck Hogan, Senior Advisor for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Ruth Berry On the Secretary’s Upcoming Travel to Sweden, Norway, and Finland
05/26/2023 01:42 PM EDT



Dereck J. Hogan, Principal Deputy Assistant SecretaryBureau of European and Eurasian Affairs

Ruth Berry, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Information and Communications Policy Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy

Via Teleconference

MR PATEL: Hey, everybody. Good morning and thanks so much for joining on this trip preview call for Secretary Blinken’s travels to Finland, Sweden, and Norway that he will depart for on late Monday evening.

Joining us today for this call is Acting Assistant Secretary Dereck Hogan and the senior advisor in our Cyber and Digital Policy Bureau, Ruth Berry. We’ll have them give some brief opening remarks at the top to discuss the trip and then we will take some questions.

So with that, let me turn it over to Assistant Secretary Hogan. Ambassador, go ahead.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you, Vedant, and good morning, everyone.

So I’m honored to really be joined here this morning with Ruth Berry and we’re going to give you the overview of the part of the trip that will begin first, which is the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council.

The breadth and policy issues that will be covered in meetings with our allies and partners over the next week reflects the broad and timely goals that we expect to achieve on this trip.

Secretary Blinken will begin his travel to the region by going to Luleå, Sweden on Monday, May 29th to Wednesday, May 31st.

First and foremost, advancing the transatlantic cooperation and democratic approaches to trade, technology, and security are vital priorities not only for the United States and the European Union, but for the whole world as well.

So this fourth meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, or TTC, will build on our shared commitment to deepening the U.S.-EU economic relationship today and for the future.

In addition to deepening our trade and investment ties, we will look to address the many challenges that threaten our shared interests and values, including by boosting our resilience to economic coercion and ability to respond to non-market practices; increasing resilience in our critical supply chains; and developing and protecting critical technologies in a way that reflects our shared values.

This TTC is particularly timely as it comes just two weeks after the G7 summit in Hiroshima during a period when the EU is re-evaluating its policy toward the PRC.

So I’ll now turn it over to my colleague, Ruth, to talk more about the TTC agenda. Ruth.

MS BERRY: Thank you. As Assistant Secretary Hogan mentioned, Secretary Blinken will co-chair for the United States the fourth meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council with Commerce Secretary Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Tai. The TTC has been a very busy and fruitful stream of work over the past two years or so, and we’re looking forward to this ministerial. As you know, it’s one of our foremost diplomatic platforms with the European Union and it’s incredibly important to strengthening the transatlantic relationship and identifying areas of convergence and collaboration. And the continued participation across the U.S. Government and the European Commission has led to deeper understanding of our shared goals and improved communication and relationships at all levels of our administration.

The policies, progress, and projects that have come out of the TTC continue to move the needle towards a more secure and sustainable world.

And for this next TTC, we expect continued progress in several key areas, including holding Russia accountable and supporting Ukraine via work on export controls and the misuse of technology; the clean tech transition; technology cooperation; and trade and supply chains.

Cooperation specifically on technology issues remains a top priority – working on standards development, artificial intelligence, combating mis- and disinformation, and promoting secure and trustworthy ICT networks in emerging economies. And across these issues, stakeholder engagement continues to be a key priority for both the United States and the European Commission.

Since the last TTC, working groups have been focused on implementing the joint roadmap on artificial intelligence, identifying a common vision for 6G, working together to support secure and trustworthy digital connectivity projects in third countries, and considering ways to share information and analysis related to foreign information manipulation.

And that’s a bit of the focus specifically on some of the technology-related progress. And with that, I will turn it back to Acting Assistant Secretary Hogan, who can cover the rest of the Secretary’s trip.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you, Ruth. So in addition to the TTC, the Secretary will reaffirm our strong partnership with Sweden and meet with the Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson and Swedish Foreign Minister Billström. The Secretary will underscore U.S. support to Sweden’s accession to NATO as soon as possible.

On Wednesday, Secretary Blinken will travel to Oslo, Norway, where he will participate in an informal meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs.

The Secretary will discuss preparations for the July NATO Summit in Vilnius, allied support for Ukraine, and other transatlantic priorities with Allies and with invitee, Sweden. The NATO Summit in Vilnius will be an important opportunity to further demonstrate unity and to signal our enduring commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

Secretary Blinken will also discuss our longstanding friendship and cooperation with Norway when he meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Støre and Norwegian Foreign Minister Huitfeldt.

The Secretary will then travel to Helsinki, Finland on Thursday evening to highlight our strong bilateral relationship with our newest NATO Ally. On Friday, the Secretary will meet with Finnish Prime Minister Marin and Finnish Foreign Minister Haavisto. Additionally on Friday, the Secretary will give a speech in Helsinki to highlight all the ways in which Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been a strategic failure, and our continued efforts to support Ukraine’s defense of its territory, sovereignty, and democracy in pursuit of a just and durable peace.

And the conclusion of the trip, Secretary Blinken will return to Washington on Friday, June 2nd.

Thank you, and we now look forward to answering your questions.

MR PATEL: All right. Operator, would you please remind our journalists how they may get in the queue to ask questions?

OPERATOR: Once again, if you have a question on today’s call, please press 1 then 0 on your telephone keypad.

MR PATEL: All right. Why don’t we start with Humeyra Pamuk from Reuters.

OPERATOR: Your line is open. Please, go ahead.

QUESTION: Hi, everyone. Good morning. Thanks for this. I have two quick questions. One is on China. There’s been quite strong language recently in G7 communique against Chinese economic coercion, and we’ve seen in previous meetings with NATO they also adopted strong language. So I’m just wondering, what’s your broad goal for this meeting? I know it’s an informal NATO ministers meeting, but I just – can you just talk a little bit about in what context, like how would you handle the China question in this one? And are you sort of, like, aiming for some similarly strong language?

And I’m also curious about Sweden’s NATO bid. Finland is in, and U.S. keeps saying Sweden’s ready now. But we’ve seen Turkish President Erdogan say last week in an interview that he doesn’t think that Sweden is ready. So I’m wondering what the U.S. is able to do to bring him on board so Sweden’s membership is ratified before the Vilnius summit, which has been a goal of Washington. Thanks.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you for that. So on your first question regarding China, so clearly the informal ministerial will focus on global threats and challenges as set up, actually, by the Madrid summit last year and the Strategic Concept. We discussed – leaders discussed in detail the destabilizing influences that China has brought into the Euroatlantic community. So teeing up for the summit in Vilnius, the informal ministerial next week will focus a bit more on ways we can respond to those destabilizing influences.

When it comes to your second question, Sweden, we have had extensive conversations with the Turkish Government about allies, including ours – a clear conviction that Sweden is ready for membership now. And so of course we have the elections, the second round of the elections in Turkey this coming Sunday, so we’ll see how they will go. But clearly this will be an ongoing part of our discussions of our engagement with the new Turkish government. So we do very much look forward to seeing both Turkey as well as Hungary ratify Sweden’s accession protocols very soon (inaudible) prior to the summit in Vilnius.

MR PATEL: Thanks so much. Let’s next go to Shaun Tandon from AFP.

QUESTION: Hey there. Thanks for doing this call. Could I ask you in some more detail about the Oslo talks? Particularly on Ukraine, as this prepares for the Vilnius summit. What is the United States comfortable with offering to Ukraine at the summit? A full invitation of membership – is that something that’s on the cards at all, or some sort of concrete commitments to NATO?

And also in Oslo, to what extent do you plan to discuss a successor, if any, to Secretary General Stoltenberg? And if so, do you have any people in mind? Thanks.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you for that. So on the first question, yeah, we look to make progress on the key deliverables for the upcoming Vilnius summit, and particularly on NATO’s continued support to Ukraine – practical support, nonlethal support – and strengthening Alliance deterrence as well as defense. We will also focusing – we’ll be focusing on how we can deepen our global partnerships, specifically with our Indo-Pacific partners, and so that’s where we will be when it comes to your first question.

And then when it comes to your second question in terms of language, we remain steadfast in our commitment to NATO’s “Open Door” policy. Any Alliance decision is between all NATO Allies and the aspirant country, so we will look for ways to support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, but right now, as I mentioned earlier, the immediate needs in Ukraine are practical, and so we should be focused on building Ukraine’s defense and deterrence capabilities.

And with respect to the secretary general question, of course, that’s ongoing discussions that will be taking place. Over.

MR PATEL: Thanks so much. Let’s next go to Missy Ryan of The Washington Post.

QUESTION: Hi, thank you. Shaun asked some of my questions, so I’ll just follow up and ask: Is – will Secretary Blinken meet with any Ukrainian officials during the visit or in Oslo specifically? And do you expect any sort of announcement or deliverables at the NATO ministerial, just to set expectations? Thanks.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you, Missy. So when it comes to your first question, we have nothing to announce right now when it comes to potential bilats or pull-asides. We will certainly keep you apprised should anything develop.

And then when it comes to your second question, no, we’re not planning on any deliverables. That’s why this is an informal ministerial. This is really just the last opportunity for the foreign ministers to get together prior to the NATO Summit in July, so it’s really to tee things up for the summit in Vilnius. Over.

MR PATEL: We will next go to Will Mauldin with The Wall Street Journal.

QUESTION: Thank you so much. I just wanted to ask, since we’re in the region with a new NATO member, a maybe NATO member, and a long-term NATO member, what is the difference that that makes in terms of U.S. partnership up there? In other words, when Secretary Blinken goes to Finland, what new level of cooperation will he be able to show from the U.S. diplomatically or militarily that they couldn’t already show as sort of a general partner of NATO? And what message would you have for Sweden about if its – how ties there would be able to persist even if its NATO membership is delayed? Thanks.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thanks. So our partnership with Finland prior to the membership of Finland was already very strong, but of course, now as Allies, we will be looking to discuss what we can be doing even more together in the Alliance together as a full-fledged member.

When it comes to Sweden, again, already a very, very strong partnership in all realms that we have with Sweden. And as I said before, the United States is confident that we and our allies are well-positioned to help Sweden address its security needs. So the United States and our allies have been clear that we will not tolerate any aggression against Sweden, but we very much look forward to seeing Sweden cross the finish line, becoming a full-fledged member of the Alliance, and so we’ll have some discussions on that. Over.

MR PATEL: Let’s next go to Kylie Atwood with CNN.

QUESTION: Hi, thanks for doing the call. First, a quick follow-up question on the, quote, “ongoing” discussions regarding a replacement to the NATO secretary general. I’m wondering if you could just elaborate a little bit on what the Biden administration views as a timeline here for when U.S. officials would publicly hope to say who the U.S. is looking to replace the secretary general.

And then my second question is about trade. Ursula von der Leyer earlier – von der Leyen, excuse me – earlier this spring indicated that the EU might cancel a trade deal with China that it reached in 2020, as part of what their economic de-risking effort is, and I wonder if the United States would support such a move. Thanks.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thanks, Kylie. On the first question, yeah, really not going to get into the private diplomatic discussions that are taking place in terms of the secretary general appointment. Clearly this will be, as I said before, part of our ongoing discussions, including in Oslo.

When it comes to the second question, the EU itself is – as you noted, is undertaking a review of its China policy. And EU leaders have called for increasing resilience in critical supply chains, reducing dependencies on unreliable partners that do not share their values, as well as examining ways to partner with others to ensure that emerging technology is developed in a way that reflects their values. And so of course we very much support those efforts, and that will be part of the discussions that we will be having with our EU colleagues in Luleå in Sweden. Thanks.

MR PATEL: Great. Let’s now go to Alex Raufoglu with Turan.

QUESTION: Good morning. Thanks so much for doing this. I have really quick questions – would appreciate it if you provided any preview of the Secretary’s Friday speech. It’s important, particularly given the venue. Why did you guys choose Helsinki to highlight Russia’s strategic failure? And secondly, to just expand on Shaun’s and Missy’s question, curious if it is the U.S. position that NATO should consider Ukraine’s accession before the end of the war, following, for example, of a divided Germany.

And finally, on Georgia, given everything has been going on in Georgia recently – the Russian flights and other concerns – I’m just very curious if Georgia’s NATO aspiration is still at the same level that you guys had been talking about, for example, the past couple of years. Last time we heard – last year, the Secretary met with his Georgian colleague – if there’s any setback there. Thanks so much.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Thank you. So on your first question, I previewed already in my opening remarks the thrust, the tone of the Secretary’s planned remarks in Finland. So I’m not going to get ahead of the speech itself, and we will have more to tell you as we get closer to the day of the speech, which is Friday. And of course, the backdrop is perfectly suitable given that Finland is our newest NATO Ally.

When it comes to – I believe your second question was on Ukraine accession to NATO. I don’t have anything more to add than what I’ve said before, right. I mean, we very much support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, but we continue to remain focused with the Ukrainians on the practical support they need to preserve and defend their territorial integrity, their sovereignty, their democracy. So that’s what we’re focusing on. Of course, NATO has an important role to play on Ukraine, so over the next few months Allies will be meeting, including, as I mentioned earlier, in Oslo next week, to discuss the scope of its support package for Ukraine. And so we look forward to those conversations.

And then if you could repeat your third question, I’m sorry.

OPERATOR: Oh, they’ve already dropped from the queue.

MR PATEL: Ambassador, I think it was about Georgia’s NATO ambitions and what the discussions are going to be around that at the ministerial.

AMBASSADOR HOGAN: Yeah. Yeah, nothing to announce at this time on that. Thanks.

MR PATEL: All right, everybody, that looks like all the questions we have and all that we have time for today. Want to really appreciate everyone joining. Again, this call was on the record and embargoed until the call’s conclusion, which will be concluding momentarily. I want to thank you again for joining, and we’ll talk to you all very soon.


Under Secretary Fernandez Leads U.S. Delegation to Plastic Pollution Negotiations in Paris
05/26/2023
Under Secretary Fernandez Leads U.S. Delegation to Plastic Pollution Negotiations in Paris
05/26/2023 01:10 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez is traveling to Paris, France, until May 27 to lead the U.S. delegation engagement ahead of the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution. Following his departure, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn will be head of the U.S. delegation.

Plastic pollution is a global crisis that transcends boundaries, affecting our natural world, its biodiversity, and human health and wellbeing. The United States is working with other countries to develop an ambitious and innovative global agreement to address this problem.

Under Secretary Fernandez and Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn are meeting with government leaders as well as representatives from business, civil society, and other stakeholders to foster cooperation on combating plastic pollution as the world works toward a global agreement.

In Paris, Under Secretary Fernandez is announcing a seven-million-dollar grant to the UN Environment Program to help select developing countries establish and implement national action plans to combat plastic pollution, facilitate information sharing and good practices, and support engagement in the intergovernmental negotiating committee process. In addition, the Under Secretary is noting that the State Department is working towards establishing a public-private partnership, the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC), providing up to $14.5 million to help launch this effort. EPPIC will convene governments, business, civil society, philanthropies, and others to galvanize global action on plastic pollution and focus on advancing circularity and science-based solutions to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic.

To stay updated, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.


Condemning Unilateral Actions by the Government of Kosovo
05/26/2023


Condemning Unilateral Actions by the Government of Kosovo
05/26/2023 01:04 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States strongly condemns the actions by the Government of Kosovo to access municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo by force, actions it took against the advice of the United States and Kosovo’s European partners. These actions have sharply and unnecessarily escalated tensions, undermining our efforts to help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia and will have consequences for our bilateral relations with Kosovo. We call on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reverse course and on all sides to refrain from any further actions that will inflame tensions and promote conflict.


Joint Statement on Violence in the North of Kosovo
05/26/2023

Joint Statement on Violence in the North of Kosovo
05/26/2023 03:07 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The following is the text of a joint statement by the United States, France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Begin text:

We condemn Kosovo’s decision to force access to municipal buildings in northern Kosovo despite our call for restraint. We call on Kosovo’s authorities to immediately step back and de-escalate, and to closely coordinate with EULEX and KFOR.

We condemn attacks on EULEX in Zvecan.

We are concerned by Serbia’s decision to raise the level of readiness of its Armed Forces at the border with Kosovo and call all parties for maximum restraint, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric.

End text.




Joint Statement on the U.S.-EU Counterterrorism Dialogue
05/26/2023


Joint Statement on the U.S.-EU Counterterrorism Dialogue
05/26/2023 04:12 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The United States and the European Union held their regular Counterterrorism Dialogue in Brussels May 25.

The United States and the European Union discussed their shared priorities in the global fight against terrorism and their assessment of the threat landscape around the world, including in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Africa. They also shared concerns about ISIS in Syria and Iraq, the threat from ISIS-K in Afghanistan and beyond, the challenges posed by al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups in East Africa, and the continued and expanding threat of terrorist groups in West Africa and the Sahel.

The United States and the EU also discussed how to further improve strong transatlantic counterterrorism cooperation and how to strengthen international and multilateral efforts to address terrorism and to prevent and counter violent extremism, including racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism/violent right-wing extremism.

They further reviewed their cooperation within the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the Global Counterterrorism Forum, which the EU currently co-chairs, and their engagement in the UN Global CT Strategy Review.

The United States and the EU will hold the next iteration of the Counterterrorism Dialogue in 2024, in Washington D.C.

The Department of State’s acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Christopher Landberg led the U.S. interagency delegation. The EU was represented by European External Action Service (EEAS) Deputy Managing Director for Common Security and Defence Policy Joanneke Balfoort, joined by EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Ilkka Salmi and representatives from the European Commission.