Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen
04/13/2026
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen
04/13/2026 02:27 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen
Readout
April 13, 2026
The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen. Secretary Rubio welcomed the opportunity to reaffirm our joint commitment to our shared security and trade partnership. The two discussed mutual defense priorities, ending the war in Ukraine, Middle East security, and expanding economic prosperity and cooperation in emerging technologies.
Commemorating the U.S. National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust
04/14/2026
Commemorating the U.S. National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust
04/14/2026 08:19 AM EDT
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Commemorating the U.S. National Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust
Press Statement
April 14, 2026
On these Days of Remembrance, Jeanette and I join Jewish communities and people of all faiths in reflecting on the enduring lessons of the Holocaust. We remember the six million Jews and millions of others murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, and we honor the courage and humanity that endured even in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
As time passes and the voices of survivors become fewer, our responsibility to preserve their stories and defend historical facts grows ever more urgent. We must confront Holocaust denial and distortion wherever they appear. We must fight for justice and restitution and ensure that the truth of the Holocaust is taught to every generation. We must ensure that the reason we utter the words “never again” is etched in historical memory.
Let us honor the victims, the survivors, and the liberators. Let us renew our promise: Never again.
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen
04/14/2026
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen
04/14/2026 03:50 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen
Readout
April 14, 2026
The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, visiting the United States with the King and Queen of the Netherlands. The two leaders discussed Iran and reaffirmed the close cooperation between the United States and the Netherlands.
Secretary Rubio’s Call with UK Foreign Secretary Cooper
04/16/2026
Secretary Rubio’s Call with UK Foreign Secretary Cooper
04/16/2026 06:31 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Secretary Rubio’s Call with UK Foreign Secretary Cooper
Readout
April 16, 2026
The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss next steps following the Iran ceasefire and the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure commercial vessels can move freely through the strait and energy supplies can reach global markets.
Finland Joins Pax Silica Initiative
04/16/2026
Finland Joins Pax Silica Initiative
04/16/2026 06:58 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Finland Joins Pax Silica Initiative
Media Note
April 16, 2026
On April 16, Finland joined the Pax Silica Initiative, hailing a growing geopolitical consensus that economic security is national security and national security is economic security. Finland brings to Pax Silica key capabilities in trusted technology such as advanced mobile communications, AI, and critical mineral mining and processing.
Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto signed the Pax Silica Declaration reflecting Finland’s joining Pax Silica. The United States and Finland affirmed their commitment to continue identifying opportunities to strengthen the partnership in emerging technologies and to delivering economic growth. The United States and Finland will continue their economic partnership based on trust, shared interest, and a desire for both countries to remain at the cutting edge of the global AI revolution.
The United States welcomed Finland as the fourteenth Pax Silica signatory. It joins fellow signatories Australia, India, Israel, Japan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Pax Silica is a positive-sum partnership of nations who want to remain competitive and prosperous.
For media inquiries, please submit questions here, and stay updated by following @UnderSecE on X. For more information, visit Pax Silica.
Joint Statement on Libya Unified Budget Agreement
04/18/2026
Joint Statement on Libya Unified Budget Agreement
04/18/2026 01:43 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Joint Statement on Libya Unified Budget Agreement
Media Note
April 18, 2026
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Begin Text
Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America welcome the signing on April 11 of a unified 2026 budget for Libya, the first Libyan national budget in over a decade and a critical step to increase economic coordination between western and eastern Libyan leaders. We applaud their constructive approach to reach this agreement, which has the potential to foster increased unity, stability, and prosperity for Libya.
Full implementation of the unified budget will help advance Libya’s financial stability, defend the value of the dinar and the Libyan people’s purchasing power, enable the implementation of development projects and international investment across Libya, and strengthen Libya’s vital technocratic institutions, including the Central Bank of Libya, National Oil Corporation, and Libyan Audit Bureau. The unified budget includes the National Oil Corporation’s first operational budget in years and financing to increase energy production, as well as oversight provisions to ensure these funds are used effectively. Increased oil and gas production will drive greater prosperity for the Libyan people and their international partners and contribute to regional and global energy security.
We reaffirm our support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the roadmap developed by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh and urge all stakeholders to use this roadmap and UNSMIL facilitation to advance a Libyan-led political process leading to unified governance and national elections. Increased economic integration will complement and strengthen the political process. A strong and prosperous Libya with unified economic, military, and political institutions is in all of our interests.
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Joint Statement on Progress Between the Representatives of Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) on the Protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection, the Operationalization of the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism, and the Release of Prisoners
04/18/2026
Joint Statement on Progress Between the Representatives of Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) on the Protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection, the Operationalization of the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism, and the Release of Prisoners
04/18/2026 05:14 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
Joint Statement on Progress Between the Representatives of Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) on the Protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection, the Operationalization of the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism, and the Release of Prisoners
Media Note
April 18, 2026
The following statement was released by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement, as well as the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), the African Union Commission, and Switzerland, on the meetings held April 13 to April 17 in Montreux, Switzerland, on the implementation of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Begin text
From April 13 to April 17, representatives from the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23), along with the United States of America, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), the African Union Commission, and Switzerland, convened in Montreux, Switzerland, to discuss the protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection, pursuant to the provisions of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of the DRC and AFC/M23, signed in Doha on November 15, 2025.
The Government of the DRC and AFC/M23 (the Parties) agreed on the critical importance of ensuring life-saving humanitarian assistance for the people of eastern DRC and made substantial progress toward conclusion of a protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection.
During the negotiations, the Parties agreed to comply with all of their obligations under international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international refugee law, as applicable, and to refer to the fundamental principles of the DRC constitution.
The Parties also agreed to refrain from any attack, destruction, removal, or rendering useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, including foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works, as well as infrastructure and the provision of telecommunications and energy services, as well as hospital and school facilities.
The Parties recognized that humanitarian assistance includes but is not limited to activities and services related to the provision of food, nutrition, health care, water, sanitation, and hygiene, shelter, and ensuring that the protection of civilians remains paramount during the conduct of hostilities. This includes protection activities, including activities aimed at preventing and responding to violence, exploitation, and abuse of civilians, including of women and children and promoting respect for international humanitarian law and of international human rights law.
The Parties agreed to respect and protect humanitarian actors including local responders and beneficiaries, and their objects used for humanitarian relief operations, and allow them to operate safely.
The Parties agreed, each in their own capacity, to do their utmost to avoid humanitarian aid being diverted or pillaged. The Parties also committed not to unduly influence the selection of providers and beneficiaries.
The Parties agreed to refrain from any action that would undermine the principled delivery of humanitarian assistance within the territories impacted by the conflict.
The Parties agreed to facilitate rapid, unimpeded, safe, and sustained humanitarian access and freedom of movement for humanitarian personnel, goods, and services, including for the delivery of principled humanitarian assistance for populations in need, based on independently assessed needs without regard to any distinction based on religion, family origin, social condition, residence, opinion or political convictions, or belonging to a certain race, ethnicity, tribe, or cultural or linguistic minority within the territories impacted by the conflict.
The Parties agreed to facilitate passage and to allow freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel, assets, and humanitarian convoys.
The Parties agreed to respect, protect, and facilitate the continuous provision of essential services to the civilian population and to refrain from any action that would compromise such services and shall facilitate the access of the population to basic social services (food, water, healthcare, housing, education). The Parties agreed, when implementing measures affecting these basic social services, to take into account the humanitarian impact on the civilian population.
To the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay, the Parties agreed to undertake to afford the medical care and attention required by the condition of the wounded and sick, including by taking all possible measures to search for, collect, and evacuate the wounded and sick. To this end, the Parties undertake to facilitate the transport of medical and humanitarian relief supplies by impartial humanitarian organizations to support the functioning of healthcare facilities and other medical units in areas affected by armed conflict.
In addition to these commitments, the Parties, along with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), signed a memorandum of understanding which operationalizes the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+). The operationalization of the EJVM+ allows for the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism (COVM), established within the Doha Framework, to begin conducting surveillance, monitoring, verification, and reporting on the implementation of the permanent ceasefire between the Parties. The Parties and the ICGLR expressed readiness to discuss and begin planning within a week the initial verification missions of the COVM, enabled by logistical support from the UN Organization Mission for the Stabilization of the DRC (MONUSCO).
Parties also agreed within ten days to release prisoners consistent with the Mechanism for the Liberation of Detainees signed on 14 September 2025 to continue building confidence. The Parties thank the ICRC for providing the lists in accordance with established procedures.
The Parties are committed to maintaining momentum in the peace process and continuing to build on the progress achieved on the Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection Protocol and at the same time expediting negotiations on the remaining protocols, including by providing proposals for concrete plans for next steps to the facilitation. The Government of the DRC and AFC/M23 expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar, the United States, Switzerland, the Republic of Togo, and the African Union Commission, as well as the United Nations, notably through MONUSCO, for their steadfast support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
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