U.S. Department of State,update (part 1)

Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the NATO Summit’s Women, Peace and Security Reception
07/08/2024

Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the NATO Summit’s Women, Peace and Security Reception
07/08/2024 08:42 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the NATO Summit’s Women, Peace and Security Reception
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Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the NATO Summit’s Women, Peace and Security Reception


Notice to the Press





July 8, 2024



Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will host and deliver remarks at a reception for NATO Allies and partners at the U.S. Department of State at 11:00 a.m. on July 9. The reception will follow the NATO Women, Peace and Security (WPS) roundtable discussion on “Turning Vision into Action for WPS Across the Alliance,” an official side event of the NATO Washington Summit, which will take place the same day at 9:30 a.m. The roundtable will feature remarks by Assistant to the President Jennifer Klein, Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Geeta Rao Gupta. NATO’s Secretary General Special Representative Irene Fellin will make remarks at both the roundtable and the reception. The WPS reception, held in the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room, will serve as an opportunity for NATO Ministerial Allies and partners, U.S. Government senior leaders, civil society representatives, and academia to network and explore opportunities for collaboration on our shared commitments on WPS within the NATO alliance.


Remarks will be open to the press and streamed live on the Department homepage and YouTube Channel.


Call time is 10:30 a.m. ET from the 23rd Street entrance for all media.


Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued photo media credential (e.g., Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), or (2) an official photo identification card issued by their news organization, or (3) a letter from their employer on official letterhead verifying their current employment as a journalist. Additionally, they must present an official government photo identification card (i.e., U.S. driver’s license or passport).


For additional information, please contact the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at StateGWI@state.gov



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North Atlantic Treaty Organization Office of Global Women’s Issues Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State Women's Issues


Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to San Francisco for SEMICON West
07/08/2024

Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to San Francisco for SEMICON West
07/08/2024 01:39 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to San Francisco for SEMICON West
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Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to San Francisco for SEMICON West


Media Note





July 8, 2024



Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez is traveling to San Francisco, California, on July 8-9 to participate in the SEMICON Westsemiconductor industry event, where he will join a fireside chat and meet with semiconductor industry leaders, to highlight U.S. efforts to diversify and secure global semiconductor supply chains. He will also discuss the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund established by the CHIPS Act of 2022 and the Department of State’s efforts to bolster critical segments of the semiconductor value chain and protect U.S. investments in the sector. Under Secretary Fernandez will engage with private sector leaders on critical minerals and provide semiconductor production updates. While at SEMICON West, he will meet with ITSI partner country representatives to deepen collaboration on data and information sharing and building an understanding of our collective industrial policies.


Learn more about ITSI. To stay up to date, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X: @State_E, LinkedIn: @State-E, and Facebook: @StateDeptE. For further media information, please contact: E_Communications@state.gov.



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California Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy Office of the Spokesperson Official Domestic Travel Science, Technology, and Innovation Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment


U.S.-Philippines Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Enters into Force
07/08/2024

U.S.-Philippines Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Enters into Force
07/08/2024 04:06 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson
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U.S.-Philippines Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Enters into Force


Media Note





July 8, 2024



On July 2, the United States and Philippines’ Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or “123 Agreement”) entered into force. The Agreement will enhance our cooperation on clean energy and energy security and strengthen our long-term bilateral diplomatic and economic relationships.


Energy security is an increasingly critical global challenge requiring deliberate collaborative efforts, and together our two countries can make a significant contribution to our shared clean energy goals. Nuclear energy can help achieve these vital global climate change and energy security targets, and we look forward to exploring new avenues of cooperation with the Philippines in civil nuclear energy and other clean energy initiatives. This Agreement builds on the nearly 80 years of peaceful nuclear cooperation between our nations and establishes a framework for continued U.S. civil nuclear trade with the Philippines. This Agreement is part of broader U.S. efforts to develop the Philippines’ civil nuclear sector. Creating a safe, secure, and modern sector requires a skilled workforce, robust regulations, and strong commercial partnerships. Our government is committed to working with the Philippines to advance each of these areas and we look forward to further building our partnership together.


Civil nuclear cooperation agreements, also known as 123 Agreements, provide a legal framework for exports of nuclear material, equipment, and components from the United States to another country. This Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with the Philippines based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. It will permit the transfer of nuclear material, equipment (including reactors), components, and information for nuclear research and civil nuclear energy production.



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Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of Energy Resources Energy Nuclear Energy Office of the Spokesperson Peaceful Uses Philippines


Second $2 Billion U.S.-Poland Foreign Military Financing Direct Loan Strengthens NATO
07/08/2024


Second $2 Billion U.S.-Poland Foreign Military Financing Direct Loan Strengthens NATO
07/08/2024 05:31 PM EDT



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The United States is announcing a second $2 billion Foreign Military Financing direct loan agreement with Poland today.

Poland is a stalwart U.S. Ally, and this deal will further strengthen NATO’s Eastern Flank. Poland is undertaking a major military modernization program, including purchases of U.S. defense equipment such as F-35 aircraft, Patriot missile systems, and Abrams main battle tanks. Poland is a leader in NATO, currently spending four percent of GDP on defense, the highest in the Alliance. Poland hosts thousands of U.S. and Allied forces, including U.S. V Corps Headquarters (Forward) in Poznan.

The U.S. government is providing up to $60 million in Foreign Military Financing to subsidize the interest rate cost of this loan, which will help accelerate Poland’s defense modernization by supporting urgent procurements of defense articles and services from the United States.

Foreign Military Financing direct loans are a security cooperation tool reserved for some of our most important security cooperation partners. Loan proceeds will further advance Poland’s military modernization effort across a wide range of capabilities, substantially contributing to strengthening the defense and deterrence of NATO’s Eastern Flank.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting
07/09/2024

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting
07/09/2024 03:00 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Colin L. Powell Treaty Room

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good afternoon, everyone. It is, as always, a great pleasure to have my colleague, my friend, Dmytro Kuleba, here as we start the NATO summit, a summit that will further strengthen Ukraine’s ties to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its path to membership. We’ve done a lot of work in recent weeks and recent months on that, and I think you’ll see a very strong package emerge from the summit for Ukraine.

More broadly, we’ve been working closely together to make sure that as things move forward, Ukraine has what it needs to stand strongly on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically, and we’re on a very good pathway to do just that. Ukraine’s success as a strong, independent, successful country is the best possible rebuke to the aggression that continues to be committed by Putin and Russia against Ukraine, including just 24 hours ago an attack on the largest children’s hospital in Kyiv, a hospital that I visited a couple of years ago when I was in Ukraine visiting the children, some of whom have been victims of the Russian aggression, others cancer patients, suffering other illnesses, being treated at this remarkable facility.

And it’s particularly despicable that we would see this attack on that hospital, but it just underscores the fact that the aggression continues. Our commitment – and not just our commitment, the commitment of dozens of countries around the world to Ukraine and to its defense – that continues. And our commitment to Ukraine’s success as a strong country, that continues and that will be manifested in very concrete ways over the next couple of days at the NATO summit.

FOREIGN MINISTER KULEBA: Thank you. It’s always good to see you, and thank you for finding time. We are hours away from the beginning of the NATO summit and we are hours away from the heinous attack, the missile attack conducted by Russia on Ukraine, including the most important children’s hospital in our country. So I think that pretty much sets the agenda for our today’s meeting.

This attack, this attack on Ukraine’s future – because children are our future – shall not remain unresponded. I am looking forward to our discussion on how we can further strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Thank you for what already has been done and your personal role in rallying the world to ensure deliveries of necessary equipment to Ukraine.

I will not hide from the press that I will raise the point, bring up the point about possible U.S. assistance in rebuilding and re-equipping this hospital, because we need to relaunch it as soon as possible. There’s children who they need daily – daily support, daily assistance, surgeries, other procedures and manipulations. They have to – they have to continue.

And finally on NATO, we seem to be set before a very, very important gathering of leaders. Thank you for working diligently on covering and reaching some very important agreements on air defense. And so the assistance that NATO will be providing to Ukraine, this is all essential. And I’m looking forward to continue – to continuing our partnership and friendship and cooperation.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, Dmytro. Thanks, everyone.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
07/09/2024


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba
07/09/2024 03:30 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Washington, D.C., on the margins of the Washington NATO Summit. They discussed ongoing work to bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership, commitment to Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian aggression now and deter future aggression, and support for reforms necessary for Ukraine’s transatlantic integration. They discussed new actions being taken by Allies to improve Ukraine’s air defense. The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed energy security and ongoing G7+ efforts to enhance the resiliency of Ukraine’s energy system in the face of Russia’s escalation of attacks on energy infrastructure. The Secretary congratulated Foreign Minister Kuleba on historic support at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, as well as Ukraine’s heroic defense of its northern and eastern regions against recent Russian offensives. The Secretary reiterated the United States’ enduring support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken And NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Before Their Meeting
07/09/2024

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Before Their Meeting
07/09/2024 04:00 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Colin L. Powell Treaty Room

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good afternoon. So it’s a particular pleasure to be here with the latest star recruit of the Washington Nationals baseball team, Jens Stoltenberg, also known as the Secretary General of NATO. It was wonderful being with Jens yesterday at Nationals Park, watching him throw out the first pitch, but it’s been even more wonderful to be side by side with the Secretary General for the last three and a half years in my case, watching his leadership of our Alliance.

We have NATO coming together for its 75th anniversary here in Washington – of course, celebrating those 75 years, but more important, focused on today and the following days and making sure that our Alliance continues to do what it’s done so successfully for 75 years, which is to ensure the defense of its members.

Thanks to the Secretary General and his leadership, we have an Alliance that is stronger, that is larger, and that is more fit for purpose than it’s been, and ready to take on the challenges of this moment. That, again, doesn’t just happen; it’s a product of leadership, and I’ve seen it every single day these past three and a half years with the Secretary General. I’ve also seen it with President Biden and everything he’s done to lead our Alliance to the place that it is today and that we’ll be putting a real spotlight on over the next three days.

Lots to be said in the coming days about the concrete achievements of this summit. I won’t get ahead of those. You’ll be hearing about those over the next two and a half days. But again, suffice to say we have an Alliance that is stronger than it’s been, larger than it’s been, and ready to deal with the challenges of our time.

Jens, again, we’ve said it on a number of occasions, but especially here in Washington on this anniversary: Thank you, thank you, thank you for your leadership.

Finally, I would just say that one of the reasons it’s so important that we celebrate this anniversary as well as prepare the Alliance for the way forward is because of what this Alliance actually means to people of all the countries who are members of NATO. And it really boils down to this: After the Second World War, and after two World Wars, countries came together determined that we would not see yet another global conflagration. And one of the ways that they did that was coming together in a defensive Alliance – NATO – 12 countries 75 years ago. And the secret of NATO’s success has been the commitment that those 12 countries made to each other and that now 32 countries are making to each other, and that is an attack on one is an attack on all. The strongest possible deterrent to aggression, the best way to prevent war from happening in the first place, is exactly through that commitment – because a would-be aggressor understands that if they take on one country, they’ve got to take on all of them.

That’s why 75 years later, NATO has been the most successful defensive Alliance in the history of the world, but also why it remains the critical Alliance going forward and why more countries have wanted to join. It’s as fundamental, as basic as that. It’s about preventing wars. It’s about deterring conflict. It’s about making our people more safe and secure so that they can go about doing everything that’s necessary to build strong, resilient countries with opportunity, with progress that’s shared among all their people.

Jens.

SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG: Thanks so much, Secretary Blinken, dear Tony. Thank you so much for hosting me and my delegation here again, and thank you for giving me some, as they say, basic advice about baseball yesterday. It was great to throw the first pitch, but I think I should focus on politics, not on baseball in the future.

It’s great to be here, not least because this week is an important week for NATO. We have our 75th anniversary summit here in Washington, so thank you for hosting the summit and thank you also for your leadership, your strong personal commitment to our Alliance.

This summit will be a summit where we celebrate the most successful Alliance in history, but we’re also going to make important decisions for the future on deterrence and defense – on Ukraine, on partnerships in the Asia Pacific. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the leadership of the United States, of President Biden, of you to ensure that we have now 32 Allies agreeing on all these important decisions we will take during the summit here in Washington.

We will make decisions on Ukraine, and I think what you have seen over the last days demonstrates the need to step up our support for Ukraine. We have seen new Russian missile attacks against cities, against a child hospital – many children and civilians have been killed, and it just demonstrates the brutality of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the importance of us supporting Ukraine and upholding the right for self-defense.

We will do more together on deterrence and defense. Allies are stepping up when it comes to defense investments: 23 Allies are investing more, or 2 percent at least of their GDP, on defense. This is twice as many as just four years ago. And then we will further strengthen our partnership with the Asia Pacific partners.

This is a busy week, and it’s great to be in Washington and great to see you again, Tony.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG: Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, everyone.




Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Georgia and Armenia
07/10/2024


Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Georgia and Armenia
07/10/2024 09:24 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Tbilisi, Georgia, and Yerevan, Armenia from July 9-17, 2024, to engage on democratic governance and anti-corruption; media freedom and freedom of expression; and inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

In Georgia, Under Secretary Zeya will engage representatives of the government, civil society, media, and parliament to underscore the U.S.’s grave concerns over the ‘foreign influence’ law and other illiberal legislation and the harmful rhetoric of the Georgian government, which has placed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory at risk. She will make clear that the government’s undemocratic behavior and disinformation about the United States has damaged our long-standing relationship. Under Secretary Zeya will also emphasize unwavering U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Georgian people’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration, and assistance to Georgia over 32 years of partnership. Additionally, she will reiterate the importance of free and fair elections and a vibrant civil society, raise respect for fundamental freedoms, protections for members of marginalized groups, and the human rights of all Georgians. Under Secretary Zeya will also visit a community organization, founded and led by women displaced by Russia’s continued occupation of Georgia.

In Armenia, Under Secretary Zeya will meet with senior government officials and civil society representatives on strengthening the U.S.-Armenia partnership and advancing Armenia’s democratic gains on rule of law, anti-corruption, and judicial reform. She will visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial to pay respects to the victims of the 1915 genocide. Under Secretary Zeya will also engage UN and other international bodies in Armenia supporting members of vulnerable and marginalized groups. Additionally, the Under Secretary will visit Haghpat Monastery to promote respect for religious freedom and support cultural preservation.

For further information, please follow @UnderSecStateJ  on X and @UnderSecStateJ  on LinkedIn.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan And Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov Before Their Meeting
07/10/2024


Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan And Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov Before Their Meeting
07/10/2024 12:34 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Marriott Marquis

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good morning, everyone. I’m so pleased to have my colleagues from Armenia and Azerbaijan here today. Ararat, Jeyhun, welcome. Over the last year, year and a half, Armenia and Azerbaijan have done very important work toward negotiating and concluding a peace agreement – one that is durable, one that is dignified, and one that would open extraordinary possibilities for both countries, the region that they share, and for their relationship with the United States. Throughout this process, the United States has sought to be helpful and supportive, along with the European Union and many colleagues in Europe.

Today is an opportunity to take stock in the progress that’s been made, what remains. But based on all of the engagements that we’ve had, including in recent weeks, I believe both countries are very close to being able to reach a final agreement, one that the United States would strongly, strongly support. So I’m very appreciative of today to, again, take stock of where we are and to see what more the United States can do to be helpful in helping you reach an agreement. Thanks to you both for being here.

Thanks, everyone.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy
07/10/2024


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy
07/10/2024 01:31 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy today at the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Secretary Lammy underscored that NATO Allies are more capable and unified than ever. They discussed how both the United States and the United Kingdom are committed to investing in their respective defense capabilities. They also reaffirmed the importance of ensuring Ukraine has the economic, security, and humanitarian assistance it needs to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Secretary and Foreign Secretary also discussed the need to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages and lays the groundwork for durable peace.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the 2024 NATO Public Forum
07/10/2024

Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the 2024 NATO Public Forum
07/10/2024 01:20 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Marriott Marquis

MS CONLEY: Well, thank you so much, Amanda and Marie-Doha. Warmest of welcomes to you —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

MS CONLEY: — Secretary Blinken, and good morning, NATO Public Forum. You and I have an awesome responsibility here. You and I are sort of like the pace car for this two-day race of the Public Forum.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m counting on you, Heather.

MS CONLEY: Well, I’m counting on you, so I guess we have to say let’s start our NATO engines and let’s get going. And we have a lot of news to talk about, a lot of the most pressing issues on the agenda. But I just want to take a moment – I want to take a moment and honor this historic moment. So I looked back at those transcripts from 1949, and I discovered what the 51st Secretary of State said at the signing, Secretary Dean Acheson.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Acheson.

MS CONLEY: He said: For those who participated in the drafting of this treaty – the Washington Treaty – must leave to others the judgement of the significance and the value of that act. So I just want to ask you very personally – no talking points – from one Europeanist to another Europeanist: What does this moment mean to you very personally?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, good morning, everyone. It’s great to be with you today. I don’t think we’ve seen this kind of assemblage of – we heard —

MS CONLEY: We heard the term; use it.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: NATO nerds – (laughter) – you’re all here.

MS CONLEY: We celebrate this. We celebrate it.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: And I’m – I proudly count myself among you and have for more than 30 years now.

MS CONLEY: Yes, sir.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: The moment means a lot of things. The moment means 75 years – Jens Stoltenberg said it yesterday: this is now the longest enduring alliance in history. That in and of itself is remarkable. But I think it’s evidence that country after country, government after government, representing now a billion people, has seen the extraordinary value of this Alliance. And I think it really boils down to this when you think about it – because when Dean Acheson was here, when our predecessors were here, they were coming off two world wars. And the absolute priority for them was trying to put in place the understandings, the arrangements, the structures to prevent another global conflagration, and NATO was at the heart of that.

And what is at the heart of NATO? This extraordinary commitment – that an attack on one is an attack on all – is the strongest possible deterrent to conflict, the best possible way to avoid war, because any would-be aggressor contemplating an attack knows that if they take on one of us, they have to take on all of us. And what we’ve seen over 75 years is a defensive Alliance that’s kept the peace for the citizens that it represents. And that in turn enables something else, because ultimately NATO is not an end in itself. The end in itself is to make sure that citizens of the countries that bring – that come together in NATO are able to lead their lives freely, securely, to try to make progress, to try to hand down a better life to their children than the one they had. And it starts with the security. If you have that, everything else becomes possible.

MS CONLEY: Absolutely. Thank you. Well, one of the pressing priorities at this 75th year is, of course, Ukraine. Last evening, we heard President Biden make some announcements about a new air defense package in Ukraine.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

MS CONLEY: So Mr. Secretary, I actually want to start with that news. I hope you can help us unpack that and tell us a little bit more about the Ukraine package that we can expect at the summit.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, you heard the President yesterday talk about the work that we’ve done and other Allies have done to put together more air defense systems for Ukraine, notably Patriots but also many other systems, because we know that’s the key to so many things. It’s the key to defending Ukraine’s infrastructure. It’s the key to defending its people. It’s the key to defending its forces. It’s also key to making sure that we’re unlocking the private sector and economic investment in Ukraine that will also be essential to Ukraine’s success going forward, but people need to make investments in secure environments.

So these air defense systems, we know, have been job number one for Ukraine and, as a result, for the Alliance that’s supporting it. But this is just part of a comprehensive package that we’re putting in place, that we’ve actually put in place since before day one, to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself when it needs it. And I’m also pleased to announce that, as we speak, the transfer of F-16 jets is underway, coming from Denmark, coming from the Netherlands – (applause) – and those jets – those jets will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer to make sure that Ukraine can continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression.

MS CONLEY: So we also understand coming out of the summit, we’ll have announcements that there will be a new NATO command —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

MS CONLEY: — in Wiesbaden that will be very focused, building on the extraordinary work of the Ramstein Defense Contact Group to sustain capabilities for Ukraine, operations, maintenance. We’ll have a NATO liaison officer —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

MS CONLEY: — in Kyiv. I mean, this is a pretty robust package that you’re talking about. I want to – you said something when you last were in Kyiv on, I believe, May 14th. And you said: Our strategy is that Ukraine must win. Is that package – and this is robust – but are the packages that NATO is putting forward – is it enough to fulfill that vision for Ukraine to win?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yeah, I believe it is. And let’s talk about two things. Let’s talk about what winning means, what success is for Ukraine. And in my estimation, at least, success is a strong, independent Ukraine, increasingly integrated with Euro-Atlantic institutions – like the European Union, like NATO – and that is able to stand on its own feet, militarily, economically, democratically. And what we see is Ukraine on a trajectory to do just that. Militarily we have an incredibly robust package that will be unveiled over the next couple of days at NATO that builds a very clear, strong, robust, well-lit bridge to NATO membership for Ukraine, including – as you mentioned – the first time NATO has dedicated a command to helping an aspiring country join the Alliance. This, in and of itself, is extraordinary.

Just a few weeks ago, President Biden signed our bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. At the last NATO summit, on its margins, President Biden brought together more than 30 countries to negotiate and now sign these bilateral security agreements. What does that mean? It means that for the next decade country after country has vowed to help Ukraine build its deterrent and defense capacity. That sends the strongest possible message to Vladimir Putin that he can’t outlast Ukraine. He can’t outlast Ukraine’s partners. So the military trajectory is clear.

The economic trajectory is critical. Making sure that private sector investment is being driven into Ukraine. Our former Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, has been leading our efforts with so many other allies and partners. We just had a very strong reconstruction conference in Germany. But all of this is about making sure that investment is driven to Ukraine. I’m convinced that Ukraine has tremendous capacity, first to develop a strong defense industrial base for itself and for other countries, but also because of the extraordinary innovation of Ukrainian entrepreneurs, the Ukrainian economy, to develop a strong, robust economy. Of course, the air defenses are critical to make sure, as I said before, that investments that are being made – physical investments that are being made are protected.

And then finally, democratic deepening. The fact that the EU opened its accession process with Ukraine, the fact that NATO also requires as Ukraine move irreversibly along the path to membership, that it continue reforms that’s the strongest guarantee that the reforms that the Ukrainian people so strongly support will continue and will deepen. And that results in a Ukraine that is strong, that is independent, and that is the best possible rebuke to Vladimir Putin.

MS CONLEY: Mr. Secretary, I’m so glad you talked about the well-lit bridge, because I think an enormous amount of energy is being expended upon verbal gymnastics in some ways, the irreversible path, the well-lit bridge, all of these terms. But what you’ve been talking about, the actions, the robustness, that speaks louder than words —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s exactly right.

MS CONLEY: — that’s the relationship with NATO. But why are we so caught up – why can’t there be greater simplicity and clarity about this incredibly close relationship that Ukraine will join NATO? Help me understand why we’re using all of these very creative words.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: (Laughter.) Well, we have a lot of very talented people who have to spend a lot of time writing NATO declarations. We want to make sure they’re fully employed.

MS CONLEY: So that’s the secret.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So as someone who’s done that myself, in the past —

MS CONLEY: Okay.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: — in all seriousness, by the way —

MS CONLEY: No, please.

SECRETARY BLINKLEN: — our colleagues are doing extraordinary work because look, we have 32 Allies. This is a democratic Alliance, an Alliance of democratic countries. Different countries have slightly different views on some of these issues and part of our responsibility is to proceed with consensus. The greatest strength that we have, the most valuable currency we have as an Alliance is our unity, but that unity doesn’t just happen. It’s the product of conversation. It’s the product of listening. It’s the product of talking. It’s the product of building that consensus and it gets reflected in these documents.

But you’re – Heather, you’re exactly right. I think it’s important to look at the words, but it’s even more important to look at the actions; as I said a moment ago, the first time NATO has had a dedicated command to helping an aspiring country join the Alliance. And that has very practical components to it that will, I think, speed Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance. And we talk about a bridge – it’s nice to have an image, a metaphor. As my colleague, Jim O’Brien, likes to say, it’s a bridge that’s going to be strong, well-lit; and with this command, I think it’ll be a short bridge too.

MS CONLEY: So I’m going to sprinkle another historical quote, and this was by President Truman the year following the signing of the Washington Treaty at his inaugural address. He said – and I thought this is a good definition, not quite that word salad that we were talking about – “the main objective of the North Atlantic Treaty is to erase any possible doubt and uncertainty that may be lurking in the minds of potential aggressors.” Is that package enough to deter Vladimir Putin on Ukraine? That’s the question. Does that provide sufficient certainty?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, President Truman had the remarkable gift of speaking clearly, speaking directly, and we’ll try to live up to that example as best we can. But look, the proof will be in the pudding. I believe it should. But at the end of the day, what is so important is delivering these practical results, showing that Ukraine has the capacity, that its partners have the capacity. I mentioned a moment ago, the fact that the F-16s are on their way. The transfer is happening as we speak. They’ll be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer. That’s another very important proof point, because again, it concentrates Vladimir Putin’s mind on the fact that he will not outlast Ukraine, he will not outlast us; and if he persists, the damage that will continue to be done to Russia and its interests will only deepen. The fastest way, the quickest way to get to peace is through a strong Ukraine.

MS CONLEY: Absolutely. To sort of twist President Truman’s words a bit, I’m wondering if the aggressor is starting to put doubts in the mind of some NATO members. And what I’m speaking about is these brazen hybrid attacks; we’ve seen a series of them. In fact, quite extraordinarily, U.S. bases across Europe had to go on high alert this last week. This is starting to be of greater concern. What does NATO have to do to try to get to that problem? Because that is undermining NATO unity.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: It has to do, and it is doing, what it’s always done, which is to adapt. When we came into office, one of the most important things to do from the outset – besides re-engaging the Alliance, re-energizing it, and as necessary, reimagining it – was to put forward a new Strategic Concept, the first one in a decade, to take account for the fact that we’re in a dramatically changed security environment, with not only new actors posing challenges but also new means, new methods. That Strategic Concept reflects the fact that we have these hybrid threats.

Since we put out the Strategic Concept, we’ve been working to turn it into real plans, real programs that demonstrate that NATO is capable and effective in dealing with exactly these kind of challenges. That’s going to be carried forward at this summit; more to be said about that in the next couple of days. But I can tell you from the meetings that we’ve had to prepare for this summit, every Ally is acutely aware of this, every Ally is acutely focused on this, the fact that we’ve seen attacks in recent months – arson attacks, sabotage attacks, attempted assassinations, misinformation, disinformation, cyber threats. This is not – these are not one-offs. This is part of a deliberate strategy by Russia to try to undermine our security and undermine the cohesion of the Alliance. It’s not going to work because we see it and we’re acting on it.

MS CONLEY: I think we need to start acting on it. This – it’s so concerning that these are increasing, for sure.

Let me turn a little bit to the broader elements of the summit and working with our Indo-Pacific partners. The largest land war in Europe since the Second World War is not simply a concern to the Euro-Atlantic community. We now this week have Chinese military exercising with the Belarusian military. We have reports of North Korean trainers coming into Russia. This is now a global alignment of our adversaries from Russia to China, Iran, and North Korea. Can NATO play that bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic? This is the third summit where our four Indo-Pacific —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

MS CONLEY: — prime ministers are here. Their commitment is getting stronger. Can NATO play that role?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yes, and we are seeing it play exactly that role. You mentioned this is the third summit in a row that we’ve had Indo-Pacific partners here at NATO – Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea. And it’s a reflection of the fact of exactly what you said, that these challenges are linked, that are our theatres of work together are linked. And maybe this was crystallized by Ukraine, when Prime Minister Kishida of Japan said that what’s happening in Europe today could be happening in East Asia tomorrow. When Russia committed its aggression, its renewed aggression against Ukraine, and Japan stood up, South Korea stood up, Australia, New Zealand, this was a reflection of that recognition that these challenges are linked. And when democracies stand together, whether they’re in Europe, Asia or elsewhere, we’re going to be stronger and more effective.

So as we’re gathering here in Washington with our Indo-Pacific partners, what this means is we are breaking down the silos between Europe, Asia, and the United States. And this has been a very deliberate objective of President Biden from day one, not only building convergence with our allies, stronger convergence when it comes to how to approach Russia – and in a different way, how to approach China – but also breaking down the barriers, the walls between European partners and Asian partners. And of course, what’s happened just in the last year, year and a half, has only reinforced the imperative. Ukraine – we see, unfortunately, China not providing weapons to Russia to pursue its aggression but being the major contributor to Russia’s defense industrial base. Seventy percent of the machine tools that Russia is importing are coming from China; 90 percent of the microelectronics that Russia is importing – coming from China. And that’s enabled it to sustain its aggression against Ukraine.

We’ve seen a massive buildup of its weaponry over the last year and a half – tanks, missiles, munitions. That’s the product of a defense industrial base being fueled by China. As a result, European allies understand the challenge posed by China to Europe’s security. And of course, China can’t have it both ways. It can’t be all at once – or claim to be for peace and want to have better relations with Europe – while at the same time fueling what is arguably the most significant threat to European security since the end of the Cold War. We see it in the relationship between Russia and North Korea. That’s abundantly clear. And in all of these areas, as well as some of the hybrid threats that you alluded to before, the connections are clearer and clearer. The Alliance is one place – and maybe, I would argue, a central place – where we can bring everyone together so that we’re acting together.

MS CONLEY: So Mr. Secretary, you’re talking about strengthening this global Alliance which the United States has built over the last 75 years. You have some very vocal American national security analysts saying there’s one thing we have to focus on: China. Everything else is a waste. Let our Allies deal with everything else; we have to focus on China. What is your answer to that criticism or critique of what you’re trying to build here?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, my answer is, first of all, of course, we are focusing on China, and we’re doing it in two ways. One, we are making the investments in ourselves at home to make sure that we’re approaching China from a position of domestic strength. When you look at everything that’s happened over the last three and a half years with the incredible investments in our own infrastructure – our roads, our bridges, our communications – through the Infrastructure Act; when you look at our commitment to make sure that we maintain our leadership, our world leadership on microelectronics, on chips through the CHIPS and Science Act; when you look at the investments that have been made in climate technology, which is going to be a critical part of the 21st century economy, that puts the United States in a position of strength. European allies are doing exactly the same thing.

But the other aspect of this is not only, as we’ve done, re-energize our alliances and partnerships starting with Europe, but also make sure that there is greater and greater convergence in our approach to some of the challenges posed by China. I think if you look at what NATO has said in the Strategic Concept, if you look at what key Europeans have said, what the European Union has said, it is abundantly clear that we have more convergence now when it comes to how to approach China than we’ve ever had. And that’s a source of tremendous strength. It means that instead of having one country having to deal with the challenges alone – the United States representing maybe 20 percent of world GDP – suddenly we’ve aligned 40, 50, and with our Asian partners, 60 percent of world GDP. That makes a huge difference.

And so precisely because these challenges are joined, dealing with some of the problems posed by China requires this work with, alignment with, convergence with Europe as well as with Asia.

MS CONLEY: I believe – I would say, maybe using a little bit of that Truman simplicity, the adversary has a vote and they are aligning. We have not the luxury of focusing on what —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s correct. And this is – I think it’s a really important point. This is not simply a reflection of our choices. It’s the reflection of the choices, the policies that China has chosen to pursue, and of course that Russia is pursuing in Ukraine right now.

MS CONLEY: And I think you’re right. It does pose, for all NATO members, a structural challenge of how do you work in those multiple theaters when you’re dealing with their alignment versus how we are organizing our alliances.

Mr. Secretary, I wanted to turn – because you raised, and I’m really glad you did, talking about Alliance unity. We know that is the center of gravity. We know how important that is. And we also know that sacrifices sometimes have to be made to keep that unity. You hear mutterings of the least common denominator. We’re not getting exactly what we want because we have to ensure that Alliance unity.

But I think over the last week, we are crossing a threshold where accepting unity, we’re sacrificing or jeopardizing NATO security. You had one NATO member who has now visited Moscow and Beijing, has talked about Beijing as being a strategic partner, has received by NATO and the EU an opt-out of support for Ukraine. You had another member this week suggest that they would like to be welcomed into a security organization that is also – it participated with Russia and China.

What is – NATO’s message has to be clear, does it not?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think —

MS CONLEY: This is getting to a point of straining unity.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: NATO’s message is very clear. It’s very clear in what’s happening here in Washington over these couple of days. It’s very clear in the entire trajectory of the Alliance over the last three and a half years – an Alliance that’s now 32 members strong with Finland and Sweden, of course, joining; an Alliance that is better budgeted and resourced than it’s ever been. When we started out, nine members of the Alliance were meeting the 2 percent of GDP for defense threshold that was set at the Wales Summit; we’re now at 23 NATO Allies. So NATO is speaking loudly and clearly with its actions.

As I mentioned before, we have a Strategic Concept agreed among all the Allies that very well reflects the challenges and threats that we face today and will be facing tomorrow. So I see NATO speaking not only with unity, but unity that’s actually raising the floor – raising the floor on what NATO partners are contributing, raising the floor on an understanding of the threats that we face, raising the floor on our commitment to take action together to deal with those threats.

So far from a race to the bottom just for the sake of consensus or unity, what I’m seeing is a race to the top by this Alliance. Again, it’s – let’s be very simple about it. NATO is stronger than it’s ever been. It’s bigger than it’s ever been. It’s more fit for purpose than it’s ever been.

MS CONLEY: I think, Mr. Secretary, it’s not about necessarily the 2 percent, and I think – I’m – I think we’re going to be raising that bar, don’t you think?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yes.

MS CONLEY: It’s going to be the new 2.5, maybe even the new 3 percent if we’re heading into this era of tremendous instability. No, but I’m saying, even a NATO member can spend 2 percent but still be working to undermine the security of the Alliance itself. So it’s not just 2 percent. How do we get back to, again, that core of the Washington Treaty, the preamble – we defend democracy; we defend a certain set of values. When Allies don’t profess necessarily to uphold those values, what’s the answer? I mean, this is about us. It’s not about the adversary. It’s about who we are.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, of course Allies, as we speak, for the last two and a half years now, have been defending those values, defending our democracy that’s at stake in Ukraine. They know that it’s not only about Ukraine, it’s not only about the Ukrainian people – it’s actually about the values that unite us and the basic principles that all of us have agreed on together with so many other countries around the world that were designed to try to keep the peace and protect against aggression. And NATO countries are standing up day after day to defend those principles, to defend those values.

Now, look, communicating with adversaries, with enemies, that is fine. Communications are important. You want to make sure that at least you’re not misunderstanding each other. But of course, what’s communicated is really important as well. I would hope that anyone, for example, going to Moscow now makes very clear to Vladimir Putin that NATO’s not going anywhere, Ukraine’s not going anywhere, the European Union’s not going anywhere, and that – what we just saw the other day, a horrific attack on a children’s hospital, is totally, totally, totally unacceptable, and Russia will continue to be ostracized as long as it engages in those kinds of actions.

I would hope and expect that anyone going to Beijing makes clear what I said a moment ago, that continuing to fuel Russia’s defense industrial base, continuing to allow the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War to go forward, is something that is unacceptable to Europe. And that means – unacceptable is a word. Actions follow that, including, as necessary, sanctions; including, as necessary, not allowing relations that Beijing might seek to improve to actually improve. So what we’re focused on is what Allies and partners are doing. And I can tell you as an Alliance, what we’re doing is evidencing greater strength and commitment to the principles, the values that are at the heart of this Alliance than I’ve seen.

MS CONLEY: Are you confident those messages are being sent?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I have confidence those messages are being sent.

MS CONLEY: All right.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: But, again, we come together as 32 countries. From the perspective of the United States, it’s so important that we listen to each other, that we communicate clearly with each other, and yes, we develop consensus. But what I’m seeing, again, is a consensus that is moving us up, not holding us back.

MS CONLEY: So we’ve welcomed – this is Sweden’s first —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

MS CONLEY: — NATO summit. Great to come in. We’ve had this bolt of energy – I feel it – with Sweden, Finland joining. There’s an energy in the Nordic, Baltic quadrant of NATO. How has it been to welcome those new – they’re seeing what’s behind the curtain. How have you introduced your two new colleagues now into NATO? Tell us some good stories.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, of course, Sweden and Finland have been NATO partners for a long time. They’ve contributed tremendously to the Alliance, to our common endeavors for a long time, but to have them at the table is something I think – I suspect most people in this room – three years ago I doubt anyone really would have imagined that.

MS CONLEY: If you would have read a lot of think tank reports 15 years ago, you would have known this would have been the case, but that’s okay.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: (Laughter.) I might have written —

MS CONLEY: I’ll let it slip.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I might have written one or two of those reports back in the day, so —

MS CONLEY: Good. See?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: But in all seriousness, you’re right. I think it has added a jolt of energy. They’re both remarkable partners. They bring so much to the Alliance. They change the strategic equation in a very powerful way. But it’s also a reflection of new realities that the entire Alliance is facing: new aggression, new forms of aggression, a new determination to stand up together to combat it. But look, we have – a little kept secret for the Alliance is there’s a pretty strong Nordic and Scandinavian component to this Alliance as evidenced by Jens Stoltenberg. President Biden gave him the —

MS CONLEY: It was amazing.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: — Medal of Freedom last night. And that was a very powerful reflection of the extraordinary leadership that he’s demonstrated over a decade – a decade of incredible change for NATO, but a decade that he’s managed with brilliance.

MS CONLEY: Well, he’s really had a unique talent of communicating with some of those Allies that don’t see eye to eye always with the consensus; was incredibly important in resolving some of the difficulties —

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right. That’s right.

MS CONLEY: — in the run-up to welcoming Sweden and Finland. Any advice for his successor about how to manage the diplomacy of maintaining Alliance unity?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I know Mark Rutte. I think many in this room do as well. I have tremendous confidence in his abilities to take the torch from Jens and to do what Jens did so brilliantly, which was actually to listen to all of our partners, to build that consensus, to demonstrate through our actions that unity really is our most valuable currency, and to build it every single day. But it – again, it doesn’t just happen. It’s the product of being engaged every single day, not pulling back, not isolating ourselves, actually leaning in, leaning forward. I know Mark is going to do that brilliantly, and I think the trajectory we’re on with all of our member-states is to continue to do exactly that.

MS CONLEY: So Mr. Secretary, I’m going to end. My last question is going to be a historical question but moving forward. So as Dean Acheson asked – it is for others to judge, and the 71st Secretary of State just rendered judgment on the 51st Secretary of State’s judgment. So let’s look forward when NATO celebrates its 150th anniversary, next 75 years.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: (Laughter.) Look forward to seeing you all there, by the way.

MS CONLEY: Yes, exactly. (Laughter.) We’ll be in our wheelchairs. Exactly. What judgment would you like your successor to render about what you have done here on the 75th anniversary to keep a billion people safe? Will they know that we’ve done enough to advance the cause of freedom?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: The proof will be in the tests that are in front of us and how we meet them. But I hope that when we look back on this period of time, one of the conclusions that people will reach is that the United States was leaning in. We re-engaged our Alliance. We helped to re-energize our Alliance. We helped to re-imagine our Alliance so that even as we celebrate 75 years of the most successful defensive alliance in history, we were resolutely focused on the future and doing everything that we could in our time to make sure that that success for 75 years would continue and that the Alliance would be adapted, focused, fit for purpose for our time and for the years ahead.

Because, again, I come back to what I started with, Heather: This Alliance is a reflection of a commitment that leaders in all of our countries make to the people we represent, a commitment we do – that we do everything possible to keep them secure, to prevent wars, to deter conflict so that they can move on with their lives in freedom, in security. And so if we manage as the result of the actions that we’ve taken over these last years and in this period to do that in the years ahead, we will have succeeded.

MS CONLEY: We will know we will do enough if Ukraine wins.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.

MS CONLEY: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. This has been a great kickoff. I hope we’ve started things off – we’ve revved up our engines. I know you’ve provided a lot of food for thought. Thank you so much. I know you have to get back to start your summit, but first will everyone please join me in warm applause for the Secretary of State. (Applause.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thank you.

MS CONLEY: Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken And United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy Before Their Meeting
07/10/2024

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy Before Their Meeting
07/10/2024 02:45 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone, or almost good afternoon, everyone. David, it’s wonderful to have you here in Washington at the NATO summit. It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome Foreign Secretary Lammy and to simply state what should be obvious but always bears reminding: This is not only a special relationship, it’s an essential one. And certainly in my tenure, I have found that out.

We are together – the United Kingdom, the United States – on every critical issue of our times, the issues that affect the lives, the well-being, the future of the people that we represent as well as so many other people around the world. And I’m very, very grateful for this opportunity to work closely with David, with the whole team on the challenges that we have before us here at the NATO summit – Ukraine, and the ongoing aggression by Russia; challenges in the Middle East; so many other places.

I know, as well President Biden looks very much forward to seeing Prime Minister Starmer a little bit later today. I look forward to that as well. But David, welcome; really good to be with you today.

FOREIGN SECRETARY LAMMY: Tony, I’m very, very grateful for that warm welcome. It’s wonderful to be here in the United States again and to be here for what is a very important summit. This is 75 years of the greatest military Alliance in modern times. I’m very proud that one of my predecessors, Ernest Bevin, was so central in setting up NATO in the first place, and I recognize that we meet at a very challenging time for the global community. And on the issue of Ukraine particularly, I’m grateful for your leadership and your support.

This is a very important moment. We’ve got lots of important things to discuss across the globe, where the U.S. and the UK work so closely together. The special relationship means something, not just for our own countries but for the defense of freedom across the globe.

So thank you very much for that warm welcome. It’s good to see you again, and it’s very good to be here as the UK’s foreign secretary. Thanks.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, everyone.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov
07/10/2024

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov
07/10/2024 03:03 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov today in Washington, D.C. on the margins of the Washington NATO Summit. Secretary Blinken discussed the progress made toward a durable and dignified peace agreement and encouraged further steps to finalize a deal as soon as possible. The Secretary also emphasized the importance of peace in promoting regional connectivity, which would benefit the entire South Caucasus region.




U.S. Department of State Announces 20 Scholars for Fourth Fulbright Arctic Initiative
07/10/2024
U.S. Department of State Announces 20 Scholars for Fourth Fulbright Arctic Initiative
07/10/2024 05:31 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

Furthering the U.S. government’s efforts to address security and sustainability in the Arctic, the U.S. Department of State announced 20 scholars selected as the fourth cohort for the Fulbright Arctic Initiative. Part of the larger Fulbright Program, the initiative explores topics including climate change and Arctic resources, Arctic security and governance, and mental health and well-being, and furthers the Fulbright Program’s mission to connect the people of the United States and other countries.

The new group of scholars from seven countries will spend 18 months building on the success of the first three cohorts of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative since 2015. The scholar participants in those cohorts collaborated to produce a significant number of publications, reports, and policy recommendations that contributed to long-term Arctic security and sustainability. Countries represented include the United States, Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and the Kingdom of Sweden.

In addition to the Department of State, the governments of Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, and Iceland have provided additional funding for the fourth cohort of Fulbright Arctic Scholars.

The cohort will be co-led by Dr. Elizabeth Rink, Professor of Community Health in the Department of Health and Human Development at Montana State University, and Dr. Lill Rastad Bjørst, Associate Professor of Arctic Studies in the Department of Culture and Learning and Scientific Director of Green Societies at Aalborg University in Denmark, both of whom are alumni of the initiative.

To learn more about the Fulbright Arctic Initiative and for a full list of the scholars selected, visit https://fulbrightscholars.org/arctic . For press inquiries, please contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, ECA-Press@state.gov.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken And German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Before Their Meeting
07/10/2024


Secretary Antony J. Blinken And German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Before Their Meeting
07/10/2024 06:06 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s, as always, a great pleasure to be with my colleague and my friend, Annalena Baerbock. We – together the United States and Germany have been confronting the extraordinary challenges to our Alliance, to our people. But the fact that we’re doing it together, the fact that we are such strong partners has been an extraordinary source of strength these past few years. And whether it’s Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, whether it’s challenges in the Middle East, whether it’s the many issues that we’re facing together in the Indo-Pacific, we’re so grateful for the partnership between our countries. This is a good opportunity here at the summit, as we celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary, as always, to look to the challenges of this moment but also to look forward for the next years. But one thing that gives me tremendous confidence is the partnership, the alliance between the United States and Germany. Good to have you.

FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: Thank you very much, and congratulations for this very successful summit, and I can only echo what my colleague and dear friend Tony Blinken just said. The last two and a half years with regard to the Russian invasion, but also on the bilateral level, a bit more the cooperation between our two countries was not only cooperation, it was cooperation of friends, of trust, and also of American leadership in a situation where Europe needed its American friends and partners. You were there for us, and therefore we thank you not only for the last years, but also with regard to NATO, obviously also for my own country. This is the cornerstone not only for life insurance but also for reunite – united Germany within Europe.

So thank you for the past and we are looking forward to a common future. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thanks, everyone.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with German Foreign Minister Baerbock
07/10/2024

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with German Foreign Minister Baerbock
07/10/2024 07:15 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock today in Washington on the margins of the NATO Summit. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Baerbock reaffirmed their ironclad support for Ukraine and discussed challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China, including the PRC’s support for Russia’s military industrial base. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire that would secure the release of hostages and ensure increased deliveries of humanitarian assistance in Gaza, as well as the importance of preventing further escalation in the Middle East and the shared threat posed by Iran. They also discussed progress made towards a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and emphasized the importance of finalizing a deal as soon as possible. The Secretary and Foreign Minister welcomed the announcement of the episodic deployment of conventional U.S. long-range fires in Germany starting in 2026 as part of planning for enduring stationing of these capabilities in the future.




Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon
07/10/2024

Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon
07/10/2024 10:28 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a productive meeting in Washington, D.C. on July 9. Together, the Deputy Secretary and the Prime Minister discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, from defense, to increased Pacific cooperation and economic ties, and focused on the forward-looking nature of the U.S.-New Zealand relationship.

The Deputy Secretary and the New Zealand Prime Minister met on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s first visit to Washington and attendance at the NATO Summit. The meeting also took place under the auspices of the Prime Minister’s chairpersonship of this year’s NATO Indo-Pacific Partners meeting, demonstrating New Zealand’s leadership on the global stage.

The Deputy Secretary and the New Zealand Prime Minister also reaffirmed our ongoing and deepening coordination on a range of security issues, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and preserving peace and stability in the South China Sea. The Deputy Secretary thanked Prime Minister Luxon for his continued leadership in support of Ukraine and welcomed the Prime Minister’s efforts to increase defense interoperability with New Zealand’s closest partners. The two discussed plans to work together with Pacific Islands to expand economic and people-to-people engagements and combat illegal fishing to create a more prosperous and resilient Pacific region.

The Deputy Secretary and the New Zealand Prime Minister also spoke about increasing our economic ties, including through boosting cooperation in advanced technologies, in space, in Antarctica, and in other sectors and industries of the future. As a trusted Indo-Pacific partner, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Dinner for NATO Ally and Partner Foreign Ministers
07/10/2024
Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Dinner for NATO Ally and Partner Foreign Ministers
07/10/2024 11:00 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Library of Congress

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good evening, everyone. Welcome. Welcome to the Library of Congress. (Applause.)

So, in honor of Jens, we wanted to have a Nordic summit. And what better way to have a Nordic summit than to have a sauna? So I’m glad we could organize that for all of you in Washington. (Laughter.)

But I am so glad to see so many friends, so many dear colleagues here tonight. And what better way to celebrate, what better place to celebrate, than this magnificent institution. As President Franklin Roosevelt said during World War II, libraries – libraries are “great symbols of… freedom of the mind… essential to the functioning of a democratic society.” Places like these promote knowledge, the free exchange of ideas, creativity, innovation. And they’re open to everyone.

Not a surprise, then, that authoritarians burn books and police people’s thoughts. It’s no wonder that Russia has targeted so many libraries and cultural institutions in Ukraine because, so often, where there are libraries, there is liberty.

So I’m honored to welcome you to this space that reminds us of what we defend and why we defend it together. (Applause.)

To the Deputy Secretary General, my good friend of so many years, thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done to make this summit possible, to make this Alliance stronger, for your work these past five years. Everyone in this room not only knows you, but knows the leadership that you’ve shown us. Thank you, my friend. (Applause.)

I also want to recognize all of the permanent representatives who are here with us today, who do the work day in, day out of representing all of us at NATO. And if you’ll forgive me a moment of personal privilege, I especially want to recognize the United States’ permanent representative, Julie Smith. (Applause.)

Julie’s leadership in Brussels is a major reason why NATO is bigger, stronger, more capable than it’s ever been. Now, as some of you know, Julie was recently nominated by President Biden to be the next under secretary of state for political affairs at the State Department – proving that no good deed goes unpunished. (Laughter.)

But, Julie, we are very anxious to have you back here in the United States. Now, you’re going to have to give up your modest accommodations. (Laughter.) But I know you’re willing to make that sacrifice.

And of course, to our good friends – especially my good friends, Senator Cardin and Senator Risch – I commend to you Julie Smith and her nomination. (Applause.)

And indeed, it’s wonderful to have so many leading members of Congress here with us tonight because the leadership of Congress, the support of Congress on a strong bipartisan basis for NATO is critical to the success of the Alliance, critical to the ability of the United States to engage and to help lead this organization that we all cherish. So to each of you who’s here tonight, not just for tonight but for every day that you’ve shown leadership and support for NATO, thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.)

I think it’s fair to say that, yes, we have some different views across the aisle, but we are in violent agreement on the power and the purpose of this Alliance.

Like so many of you in this room tonight, I had the extraordinary honor of visiting Normandy last month to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Like you, I met veterans of that battle; I visited the cemetery where so many Americans were laid to rest.

Those of you who were there, I know, had the incredible experience of meeting these veterans. I think the youngest veteran who was there was 95 or 96. I see Mike McCaul here. We met so many of these extraordinary people. I think the oldest was maybe 105 or 106. Most of them were ready to go and do it again.

And in fact, permit one digression – I think Mike also met this couple – one veteran who I was introduced to, 101 years old, and we were talking and he said, “I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée.” (Laughter.) Okay. And then he said to me, “Do you know the French actress Catherine Deneuve?” And I said, well, of course I know who she is. He said, “Well, my fiancée looks a little bit like Catherine Deneuve.” So he introduces me to his fiancée, who is 96 years old. And yes, indeed, she bore a resemblance to Catherine Deneuve. They were married the next day in Normandy and became celebrated throughout France.

But all of them were a reminder of the incredible sacrifice that those young heroes made – the values that they fought for – and that of course is what drove NATO’s 12 founding members to gather here in Washington five years later, to bind their fates, to bind our fates together.

Out of the ashes of war, they forged an instrument to advance peace and security. They came together as a single transatlantic community – united by their belief in democracy, in liberty, in the rule of law.

And of course, the pledge that they made – that maybe some of us who do this every day take for granted – was unprecedented: to consider an attack on one, an attack on all, and to defend every inch of each other’s territory as if it were their own.

They understood that this solemn promise was the best way to deter aggression, to prevent war – that any would-be aggressor would have to think twice, knowing that an attack on any one would be an attack on all of them.

And because of that sacred commitment – backed by millions of soldiers, sailors, aviators willing to risk their lives for our collective defense – NATO curbed Soviet aggression during the Cold War.

Our Alliance helped usher in newly independent nations to the community of democracies.

And of course, when terrorists struck on 9/11, NATO Allies immediately and unanimously invoked Article 5 for the first time and came to America’s defense.

Protected by the shield of our Alliance, our people have for generations been free to flourish. To study, to work, to push the boundaries of innovation. To expand rights and opportunity. And after all, that really is the purpose of the Alliance. It’s not an end in itself; it’s a means by which, in creating, sustaining, preserving security for all of us, we can all get on with our lives and, hopefully, reach our full potential – really to engage in what President Truman called the “business of achieving a fuller and happier life for all our citizens.” That really is what NATO is about.

Yet – as so many of us have been talking about at NATO headquarters, at these summits, and indeed for the last years – we face a multiplicity of new threats well known to everyone in this room.

Some of these threats would have been familiar to NATO’s architects, who knew very well what happens when strongmen seek to redraw borders by force. Others, NATO’s founding generation never possibly could have imagined: cyber attacks, AI-fueled disinformation, a climate in crisis.

So our Alliance is doing what it has done at every step: anticipating these emerging challenges. Adapting to meet the moment. Ensuring that NATO remains – as Italian Foreign Minister Carlo Sforza said 75 years ago in what is typically a beautiful Italian phrase – NATO is a “continuous creation.” That’s what this Alliance is; that’s what it must remain.

Just over the last three years alone, all of us together, we bolstered our eastern flank. We’ve invested in our defense industrial bases. We’ve dramatically increased burden-sharing among Allies. We’ve just added two incredibly capable Allies, growing our Alliance to 32 nations. (Applause.) And, Dmytro, our door remains resolutely open, and we look forward to that day as well. (Applause.)

Now, truth be told, any of us who sit around the NATO table, whether it’s as foreign ministers or today’s leaders, with now 32 members, I’m sure that there’s at least a moment – maybe about three hours into the NAC – when we think, 12 members wasn’t so bad. (Laughter.) But we are so powerfully reinforced by our newest partners, Finland and Sweden.

This summit has made absolutely clear that – as the people of Ukraine continue to sacrifice immeasurably to defend their territory and their right to choose their own path – NATO will do everything possible to ensure Ukraine’s long-term success. And that does include the strong bridge that we’ve built to membership.

At the same time, partners from across the globe – many here with us tonight – are eager to deepen their relationships with NATO, recognizing that their security and the security of the transatlantic Alliance are linked.

All these years later, our Alliance endures not out of inertia, not out of nostalgia. It endures because our people realize NATO remains critical to advancing our security, to protecting our freedoms. It thrives because, time and again, we’ve made hard choices to meet the tests of our time.

When the Washington Treaty was signed 75 years ago, President Truman declared, “We do not believe that there are blind tides of history which sweep one way or another.” Instead, he said, those “with courage and vision can still determine their own destiny.”

That’s exactly what NATO’s founders did. That’s what generations of NATO’s leaders have done. And that remains our charge, our responsibility, today. As we face down threats old and new, let’s continue to summon that courage. Let’s continue to summon that vision. And, shoulder to shoulder, let’s continue to write our own destiny for decades to come, and let’s do it together.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m so grateful to have you here. I’m so grateful to have all of you as friends and colleagues. Welcome again to the NATO summit.

And now my friend, the Deputy Secretary General. Mircea, over to you. (Applause.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL GEOANĂ: Thank you so much, Tony. Thank you so much for having all of us in this wonderful place. I have to say that for once, I believe we are better off than our leaders. This is a better place even of the – of the other location. (Laughter.)

Thank you so much for what you represent for us, Tony. And for the members of Congress, and especially U.S. Senate, I know that the Julie Smith hearings will go smoothly after this summit. Julie, we love you. We appreciate you. We are sacrificing you on the altar of the – of the ultimate good here in the U.S.

Listen, I’m so proud to be here with you today. I arrived in Washington when I was only 37 years of age, the youngest ambassador of my home country of Romania to this wonderful, complicated city. And I made the mission of my life and my career to bring my country into NATO. So to everyone – Dmytro, our friends in Ukraine, all the friends that want to join this Alliance – I’m the living proof that if you really are determined to fulfill your dreams, to share our values of freedom, of dignity, of rule of law and democracy, you belong to this family, and one day you’ll be part of this family. This is something I know will happen, and I want to thank you so much for everything you do for our Alliance. Thank you so very much for that. (Applause.)

There are so many other partners from all over the world. We have close to 40 partners from basically all continents. We are so proud of our partnerships. I know that sometimes we are not basically always in perfect sync when it comes to regional issues, when it comes to global affairs. There is something we share in common, and that’s why we cherish our partnerships with you – that we all want a safe world, a peaceful world, a predictable world, a world of rules and not a world with a rule of jungle. So for that, on behalf of myself and our Secretary General and all of us, let’s applaud our partners from all over the world. We cherish you. You embellish and really bring this Alliance much stronger. Thank you so much for being with us in Washington. (Applause.)

Yesterday, at the Mellon Auditorium, I was trying to put myself in the shoes and the minds of our founding leaders. And I want to thank again President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and our American friends for bringing us back to the place where this beautiful idea started 75 years ago. And I was trying to put ourselves in their shoes – after two World Wars, trying to fight aggressive Soviet Union, and trying to see for one second which would be our role, us, the leaders of today, shaping the world for tomorrow.

And I think that the kind of vision that they had for us should be a source of inspiration for us. Each of us, our ambassadors, our foreign ministers, our leaders, each and every single one of us, we are an indispensable part of shaping a world that will be safer, peaceful, and predictable. And I encourage all of us to be up to the task. These are times that will be shaping the history of the world not only for five years or one term or two terms, but for decades to come. So I believe that what we are doing these days in Washington will be shaping the world for many, many decades to come.

And the last point from my side. We need to keep the family of democracies together. We have to really find new strength, new energy, new smart ideas to make sure that we’ll prevail in this very complicated time ahead. And I want to say one thing as – not this time as a NATO deputy secretary general or whatever I will do in my life in the future. But I think we have to do a much better job, Tony, and we discussed about this many times, to engage with our partners that the map – at this dinner tonight – the many other nations that share the same concerns like we do, like our citizens do, they just want a better life: peace, prosperity, and dignity in their lives.

So my appeal to you is not only to be up to the level of ambition and vision of our founding members of this Alliance, and I want this partnership that NATO has with you that we cherish and applaud. I ask you and us to do a much better job engaging the rest of the world. We need to really do a much better job in convincing the rest of the world that it is much better to live in democracy, in freedom, in dignity, in rule of law and prosperity, and not to allow them to be lured by nations that are preaching basically for dictatorship and authoritarian regimes. I lived half of my life in communist Romania. And please believe me: There’s absolutely no joy in living in dictatorship and in darkness.

So my dear friends, dear Tony, this is a moment that will probably be shaping the world for many, many decades to come. In a way, it’s a symbol, and probably a sign from God, that we’re reassembling here where this beautiful journey of NATO started 75 years ago. And for our partners, again, our appreciation, our respect, sometimes our humbleness to the huge, rich experience you bring to us. And I know that one day I hope my kids and my grandkids – if my daughter and my son will enrich me with future generations of my family – (laughter) – I know that one day we’ll be proud of what we achieved in Washington at this historic summit of our great Alliance.

Thank you all. We love you all. And thank you for the kind words for myself. The five years in NATO have been the highlight of my life. And I think I’m now a better human being, I’m a better – people believing in our values, and I have to say that I cherish every single time – moment that I had with you. And dear Tony, thank you so for the kind words.

So God bless all of us. Enjoy this beautiful dinner. And this is the spirit of Aspen. This is the spirit of NATO. And this is the spirit of the NATO idea that our founding fathers put forward 75 years ago. God bless you. Enjoy the dinner. (Applause.)




The 29th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide
07/11/2024

The 29th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide
07/11/2024 08:42 AM EDT



Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

Today marks 29 years since the Srebrenica genocide. The American people join the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in honoring and mourning the more than 8,000 men and boys who were murdered in July 1995. We stand with the victims, survivors, and families who continue to pursue justice for their loved ones.

Today also marks the first International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, recently designated by the United Nations to be observed every year on July 11 in remembrance of those whose lives were cut short. On this solemn day, it is fitting that we resolve to condemn genocide denial and rededicate ourselves to working across the international community to prevent future mass atrocities.

U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael Murphy and Deputy to the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice David Mandel-Anthony are in Srebrenica today to honor the victims, stand in solidarity with mourners, and encourage reconciliation. The United States will remain a steadfast partner to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina as they seek a brighter and more just future.




Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani Before a Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU
07/11/2024


Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani Before a Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU
07/11/2024 10:57 AM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Walter E. Washington Washington Convention Center
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani Before a Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU
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Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani Before a Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU


Remarks





July 11, 2024



SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good morning, everyone. And it’s a pleasure to be here with all of our colleagues from the G7, which is really the essential coordinating committee for the world’s leading democracies. We have an opportunity today to follow up on the very good work that our leaders did in Apulia, and I want to thank again my friend and our chair Antonio Tajani for the remarkable work that Italy did and continues to do in leading the G7 this year.


I think you see through the G7 extraordinary collaboration and coordination on the critical issues of our time, including – of course – Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the ongoing challenges in the Middle East, and all the work that we’re doing together in the Indo-Pacific. The G7 strongly complements the work that’s being done here at NATO. We had a very good day yesterday with the first day of our summit, not only celebrating 75 years of the Alliance but in particular putting the Alliance in strong shape for the next 75 years, including the many issues that we face today.


The summit declaration that came out yesterday shows strong convergence among all NATO members – including, of course, the G7 members – on dealing effectively with the Russian aggression against Ukraine, on dealing effectively with other challenges to our Alliance, including those coming from the Indo-Pacific region, and in particular as well the important partnerships that we have, we’re developing, we’re strengthening with partners from beyond the NATO Alliance. But I look forward to the conversation today and the work that the G7 in particular is doing to advance all of these issues.


Antonio, again, thank you for your leadership, and over to you.


FOREIGN MINISTER TAJANI: Thank you very much, Tony. Good morning, everybody. Thank you for hosting us in this beautiful town in Washington. We are very happy. First of all, I want to welcome David as a new member of this family. Congratulations for your victory in the election. Congratulations. May we work together in the next years for strengthening the cooperation between the G7 countries. It’s important for us – the unity of this G7 – for the defense, rule of law, democracy, and freedom in the world.


Today, we debate on one of the most important points for us is the Middle East. We are working hard for peace, for the stability. Of course, our engagement in defense of Ukraine is the other priority. We will back Zelenskyy and Ukraine. We will support Ukraine. We want to achieve peace, but peace without justice is not peace. So in the Middle East, we need to work hard together. I want to thank you for your engagement.


I think the clear message to Russia and to the other (inaudible) for peace is our unity, the unity of the G7. Of course, we want to talk with the others. We want to open the door, but we need to enlarge the dialogue with other countries in the next G7. We will have many guests, but I think the – our unity is crucial if you want to pave the way for peace and defense of our values. Because the G7 is not only political organization, it’s also the house of democracy. For this, we will work together also today during this short meeting, focusing on Middle East first of all.


Thank you very much.



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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State


United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine
07/11/2024

United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine
07/11/2024 02:02 PM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

As President Biden announced at a meeting with President Zelenskyy today, the United States is sending Ukraine a significant new package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to support the Ukrainian military as it continues to repel Russia’s assault. This $225 million package, which will be provided under Presidential Drawdown Authority includes: a Patriot missile battery, munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems; Stinger anti-aircraft missiles; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems; 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds; Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided missiles and equipment; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; small arms ammunition; demolitions munitions and equipment; and other ancillary equipment. This support will help strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and reinforce Ukraine’s capabilities across the front lines.

This is the eighth security assistance package the President has authorized to help Ukraine since signing the national security supplemental appropriations act. We will deploy this new assistance as quickly as possible to bolster Ukraine’s defense of its territory and its people. As President Biden has made clear, the United States and the international coalition we have assembled will continue to stand with Ukraine.




Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU
07/11/2024



Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU
07/11/2024 04:22 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Washington with Foreign Ministers and representatives of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. They reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and addressed key deliverables arising from the 2024 NATO Summit, including accelerating Ukraine’s interoperability with NATO and providing a bridge to membership. They also emphasized the urgency of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages and facilitates the increased delivery of humanitarian aid and discussed ongoing work to establish security, governance, and reconstruction for Gaza in a post-conflict period.




G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in the West Bank
07/11/2024


G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in the West Bank
07/11/2024 08:58 PM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The text of the following statement was released by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.

Begin Text:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU, join the UN and the European Union in condemning the announcement by Finance Minister of Israel Smotrich that five outposts are to be legalized in the West Bank. We also reject the decision by the Government of Israel to declare over 1,270 hectares of land in the West Bank as ‘state lands’ – the largest such declaration of state land since the Oslo Accords – and the decision to expand existing settlements in the occupied West Bank by 5,295 new housing units and to establish three new settlements. The Government of Israel’s settlement program is inconsistent with international law, and counterproductive to the cause of peace.

We reaffirm our commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, on the basis of a two-state solution. We have therefore consistently expressed our opposition to the expansion of settlements and, as in previous cases, we urge the Government of Israel to reverse this decision.

Further, maintaining economic stability in the West Bank is critical for regional security. In this context, we take note of the latest transfers of parts of clearance revenues to the Palestinian Authority, but we urge Israel to release all withheld clearance revenues in accordance with the Paris Protocols, remove or relax measures that exacerbate the economic situation in the West Bank, and to take the necessary measures to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks remain in place with proper controls.

End Text.






Montenegro Statehood Day
07/12/2024


Montenegro Statehood Day
07/12/2024 12:03 AM EDT



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Montenegro Statehood Day
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Montenegro Statehood Day


Press Statement





July 11, 2024



On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Montenegro as you celebrate your Statehood Day.


We are encouraged by Montenegro’s continued forward progress on its path to EU accession and we look forward to seeing Montenegro take its place as a full member of the European community. As you continue to promote economic integration through the region and demonstrate your commitment to democratic values, Montenegro is securing a prosperous future for its people.


We are proud to see Montenegro as a leader in the region, meeting its 2% GDP defense spending goal in NATO and advancing Euro-Atlantic integration throughout the Western Balkans. Today, we celebrate our strong and enduring friendship.



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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Montenegro Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State


Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Knutsson
07/12/2024

Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Meeting with Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Knutsson
07/12/2024 08:51 AM EDT



Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met today with Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson in Washington, D.C. Deputy Secretary Campbell and State Secretary Knutsson emphasized the importance of Sweden’s recent entry into the NATO Alliance and the strength of the U.S.-Sweden bilateral relationship. The Deputy Secretary and the State Secretary reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, discussed Indo-Pacific issues, and reaffirmed our intention to work together to contribute to peace and prosperity in Europe and around the world.




The Week at State: July 5 - July 11, 2024
07/12/2024








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July 5 - July 11



We’re gearing up for baseball’s All-Star Game and the upcoming Olympics in Paris – some of the season's most anticipated events. Sports, like baseball, build people-to-people connections and bring the global community together.

Here's what happened at State this past week. ⤵️🏛️ The U.S. welcomed leaders to Washington, DC for a historic NATO Summit.
🏅 President Biden awarded NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
⚾ Secretary Blinken watched a Washington Nationals baseball game with Secretary General Stoltenberg, who threw the first pitch.
The U.S. Hosts the NATO Summit in DC







The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, marks 75 years of historic achievements this year. It remains the most successful and powerful defensive alliance in history.

This week, 32 Allies met for a historic NATO Summit and tackled an agenda that included:Affirming unwavering support for Ukraine
Strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense posture
Enhancing the Alliance’s partnerships

Interested in learning more about NATO’s history? Here’s how NATO came to be and how the Alliance contributes to our daily lives. To test your NATO knowledge, take our quiz.


President Biden Awards NATO Leader High Honor

On Wednesday, President Biden awarded NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg the highest civilian honor that the United States can bestow: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“The world is a more secure and free place because of his work to make NATO stronger than ever,” President Biden said on Twitter/X.


Secretary Blinken Highlights NATO’s Strength at Public Forum

To kick off the NATO Public Forum, Secretary Blinken discussed:NATO’s continued support for Ukraine
How the Alliance is responding to challenges
The F-16 fighter jets that will be flying in Ukraine this summer

“This Alliance is a reflection of a commitment that leaders in all of our countries make to the people we represent,” the Secretary said during the event.


NATO Celebrates America’s Pastime at Washington Nationals Park

Secretary Blinken, NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg, and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith watched the Washington Nationals play the St. Louis Cardinals at “NATO Night” at Nats Park.

How much do you know about NATO and Major League Baseball? We quizzed fans ahead of this week’s game during our most recent edition of State on the Street.


American Culinary Corps Chefs Serve Colorful Cuisine on NATO Day at Nats Park

But what’s baseball without food?

During the game, Washington-based chefs in the American Culinary Corps served cuisine from inside the stadium’s Brew House.

“​​Bravo to all the amazing chefs and the team behind the State Department’s American Culinary Corps. They shared food as diverse as America itself,” Ambassador Smith said on Twitter/X.


News You May Have MissedPresident Biden delivered remarks on the 75th Anniversary of the NATO Alliance, emphasizing how the progress we’ve made in the past 75 years has happened behind the shield of NATO.
Secretary Blinken hosted a dinner for NATO Ally and partner foreign ministers, where he highlighted NATO's enduring importance and commitment to unity.
Secretary Blinken emphasized the role of women in making and keeping peace during the NATO Women, Peace, and Security Reception. As the Secretary said, “When women are meaningfully involved in making and keeping the peace, it is more likely to endure.”
The United States announced a second $2 billion Foreign Military Financing direct loan agreement with Poland. The loan further strengthens NATO’s Eastern Flank.
United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine. This $225 million package includes urgently needed weapons and equipment to support the Ukrainian military as it continues to repel Russia’s assault.






🔎 Looking AheadJuly 16-18: Aspen Security Forum
July 20: Space Exploration Day
July 25: National Intern Day
July 26: Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary
👉 Note to Our Readers

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