Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina on marking Statehood Day.
The United States has been your enduring partner for over three decades and remains firmly committed to protecting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multiethnic character. We will continue to work with institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance the reforms necessary to help secure your country’s rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic community of nations, and we will continue to hold accountable those individuals and institutions that threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stability and security.
The United States remains a friend and partner to all the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bosniak, Croat, Serb, and all citizens – and stands steadfast in our commitment to helping the citizens of the country build a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for themselves, their children, and future generations.
Senior Official for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Barclay’s Trip to Indonesia and the Republic of Korea
Media Note
November 24, 2023
Senior Official for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Erin Barclay will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia and Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK) November 27 to December 1. Senior Official Barclay will meet with government and civil society representatives of Indonesia and the ROK for consultations on democracy and human rights. She will also meet with ASEAN representatives, civil society and human rights advocates and organizations, and other like-minded partners to discuss efforts to advance the welfare of the people, including marginalized groups, in both countries.
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a trilateral call today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japan Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko to discuss the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) November 21 space launch, which used ballistic missile technology in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Secretary and the Foreign Ministers strongly condemned the launch for its destabilizing effect on the region.
The Secretary and the Foreign Ministers affirmed they will continue close trilateral consultation, in the spirit of the Camp David summit, in response to the DPRK’s irresponsible and unlawful actions. They stressed the need for the international community, including all members of the UN Security Council, to come together to prevent the DPRK’s procurement activities and stem the flow of revenue supporting its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs. The Secretary also reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitments to the defense of the ROK and Japan.
Office of the Spokesperson
Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey R. Pyatt will travel to London, United Kingdom from November 27-29, 2023, to participate in the “Resourcing Tomorrow” conference and meet with UK and international government and industry leaders to advance U.S. priorities on critical minerals, energy resilience, and support for Ukraine.
The theme of the conference is “Bridging the Disconnect to Supply the Metals Required for the Energy Transition.” Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s keynote address will focus on the importance of diversifying critical minerals supply chains and U.S. work with public and private sector partners through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and the recently announced Minerals Investment Network for Vital Energy Security and Transition – MINVEST. The MSP is a collaborative initiative with the United States and 13 global economies that works to identify and support critical minerals projects in extraction, production, processing, and recycling that adhere to high environmental, social, and governance standards.
While in London, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will meet with UK and international officials to further collaboration on critical minerals and to advance cooperation on Ukraine energy sector assistance, European energy security, the clean energy transition, and supply chain security. Assistant Secretary Pyatt will note appreciation for the United Kingdom’s robust energy sector support for Ukraine. Assistant Secretary Pyatt will also underscore the importance of accelerating international support for Ukraine’s immediate energy security needs, in the face of increased Russian attacks targeting Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.
For further media information, please contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov
Assistant Secretary Stewart Travels to The Hague
Media Note
November 24, 2023
Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability, Mallory Stewart, will travel to The Hague, the Netherlands, November 27-30. While there, she will attend the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) 28th Conference of the States Parties and related events.
Assistant Secretary Stewart will deliver the United States’ national statement and meet with representatives of OPCW States Parties to discuss how to strengthen the norm against the use of chemical weapons as well as other topics, including the responsible military use of artificial intelligence and autonomy.
Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
The United States is designating former Colombian General Jésus Armando Arias Cabrales due to his involvement in a gross violation of human rights during the retaking of the Palace of Justice of Bogotá in November 1985. As a result of today’s action, Arias Cabrales, his wife Martha Paulina Isaza de Arias, and his children Francisco Armando Arias Isaza and Martha Lucia Arias Isaza, are ineligible for entry into the United States.
The United States steadfastly supports Colombia’s 2016 Peace Accord and joins the Colombian people in commemorating its seventh anniversary. The United States congratulates Colombia on this anniversary, and we value its continuing achievements thus far. We also commend the Special Jurisdiction for Peace’s (JEP) work to end impunity for conflict-related crimes. The JEP integrates reparative justice and acknowledgment with criminal prosecutions to ensure victims play a central role in all stages of the peace process.
