Press Releases: Deputy Secretary Sullivan Travels to Europe and North Africa  


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 21, 2018


Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan will travel to the Netherlands, Denmark, Algeria, and Morocco, from June 25 to 29, to discuss a range of U.S. priorities, including joint efforts to maintain an enduring defeat of ISIS and promote cooperation on regional and global security challenges.

In The Hague, the Deputy Secretary will lead the U.S. delegation to a special session of the Conference of the States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to address the ongoing use of chemical weapons worldwide and to reinforce the global norm against such use. Deputy Secretary Sullivan will reiterate the United States’ commitment to ensuring that all those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and elsewhere, are held to account.

He will then lead the U.S. delegation to Copenhagen to participate in the Ukraine Reform Conference: “A Driver for Change,” hosted by the governments of Denmark and Ukraine. There, the Deputy Secretary will reaffirm the United States’ support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity while reiterating our conviction that Ukraine’s future and democratic development depend on the implementation of serious, structural reforms. Deputy Secretary Sullivan will also meet with Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Anders Samuelsen, to discuss a range of bilateral and regional matters.

In Algeria, Deputy Secretary Sullivan will meet with a range of senior government officials. He will participate in the fifth annual bilateral dialogue between the United States and Algeria on security and the fight against terrorism, and will reaffirm our strong bilateral cooperation against terrorism and shared efforts to promote regional stability. He will also discuss with Algerian leaders the efforts to expand the U.S.-Algeria economic partnership.

Finally, the Deputy Secretary will travel to Morocco where he will meet with senior government officials to discuss a range of political, economic, and security issues, including Morocco’s important contributions to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. He will also meet with a group of Moroccan youth in Casablanca.

During his trip, the Deputy Secretary will engage with U.S. Embassy staff, as well as representatives and leaders from civil society.






Press Releases: Remarks With Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva Before Their Meeting


Remarks

Michael R. Pompeo

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

June 21, 2018


SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning. Welcome.

FOREIGN MINISTER SILVA: Thank you.

SECRETARY POMPEO: It’s great to see you again.

FOREIGN MINISTER SILVA: It’s an honor to be here. Thank you.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Looking forward to our meetings.

FOREIGN MINISTER SILVA: Thank you.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Thank you all.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, are you preparing for a President Trump-President Putin summit?






Press Releases: Attacks on Libyan Oil Ports


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 20, 2018


The United States strongly condemns the recent attacks by forces under the direction of Ibrahim Jadhran on the oil ports of Ras Lanuf and Al Sidra, and the ongoing violence that has damaged Libya’s vital oil infrastructure and disrupted oil exports. We call for all armed actors to cease hostilities and withdraw immediately from oil installations before further damage occurs.

Oil facilities, production, and revenues belong to the Libyan people. The United States believes these vital Libyan resources must remain under the exclusive control of the National Oil Corporation and the sole oversight of the Government of National Accord, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolutions 2259, 2278, and 2362.






Press Releases: Remarks With German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen Before Their Meeting


Remarks

Mike Pompeo

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

June 20, 2018



SECRETARY POMPEO: Wonderful to see you.

DEFENSE MINISTER VON DER LEYEN: Thank you so much.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Welcome. (Inaudible.)

DEFENSE MINISTER VON DER LEYEN: Nice to be here. (Inaudible) this important time.

SECRETARY POMPEO: It is.

DEFENSE MINISTER VON DER LEYEN: So thank you.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. It’s wonderful to see you. Thank you all.

QUESTION: Madam Minister, (inaudible) does the German Government —

SECRETARY POMPEO: This is a really special relationship and we’re looking forward to our conversation. Thanks, everyone.

DEFENSE MINISTER VON DER LEYEN: Thank you.

QUESTION: Madam Minister, does the German Government believe that they’re owed an apology by the Trump administration?






Press Releases: Ukraine’s Anti-corruption Court Legislation


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 20, 2018


The United States commends Ukraine for adopting a law to establish an independent anti-corruption court. We were pleased to see this important piece of legislation passed with broad support in the Verkhovna Rada. With this move, Ukraine took an important step towards achieving the European future its people demanded during the Revolution of Dignity.

We welcome the International Monetary Fund Managing Director’s statement. She and President Poroshenko have agreed the Rada should quickly amend the law so the proposed court will be able to hear all cases under its jurisdiction, including existing corruption cases, and pass supplementary legislation to formally establish the court. These steps will ensure the court is able to help roll back the corruption that threatens Ukraine’s national security, prosperity, and democratic development.