DEPUTY SECRETARY SULLIVAN: I’m delighted to welcome Chilean Foreign Minister Ampuero here to the State Department to continue to develop our personal relationship, and also to reaffirm the important ties between the United States and Chile. Thank you.
On May 10, 2018, U.S. Chargé d’ Affaires Eric Khant and Jamaica’s Minister of Transport and Mining Robert Montague signed an agreement to amend the U.S.-Jamaica Air Transport Agreement of 2008 to include seventh-freedom rights for all-cargo operations, effective as of the date of signing. Seventh-freedom rights permit flights between a second and third country without touching the airline’s home country. These rights facilitate the efficient and cost-effective movement of goods, strengthen global express delivery cargo networks, enhance connectivity and competitiveness, and promote economic growth.
Air Transport Agreements provide air traffic rights for airlines to offer international passenger and cargo services. The modern Open Skies Air Transport Agreement between Jamaica and the United States eliminates government intervention in commercial airline decisions about routes, capacity, and pricing. By increasing market access, the Agreement enables airlines of both of our countries to provide affordable, convenient, and efficient air service for consumers and businesses, and is a valuable tool to promote economic and employment growth.
These initiatives underscore the U.S. government’s commitment to the Caribbean as outlined in the Caribbean 2020 strategy – the U.S. policy framework to enhance partnerships in security, energy, diplomacy, prosperity, education, and health in the Caribbean region.
For more details, please click the following link: https://www.state.gov/e/eb/tra/ata/index.htm For details on Caribbean 2020 please click: https://www.state.gov/p/wha/rt/caribbeanstrategy/index.htm
The Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has selected five Architecture/Engineering (A/E) firms for the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) solicitation for special new construction and modernization projects at U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide. The final selected firms are:
OBO received 19 total submissions for this IDIQ solicitation, and 10 firms were shortlisted to provide technical team submissions and make presentations to OBO. The five selected firms demonstrated the highest qualifications on security, modular and prefabricated construction, project leadership and client communications, and the ability to adapt to changes in challenging overseas environments.
OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to host nations and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.
For further information on the selection, please contact Charles Krips at KripsCG2@state.gov.
The following statement by Kim Dong Chul, Kim Sang Duk (Tony Kim), and Kim Hak Song, after their release was secured by Secretary Mike Pompeo on behalf of the Trump Administration on May 9, 2018:
We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the people of the United States for bringing us home. We thank God, and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return. God Bless America, the greatest nation in the world.
We congratulate the people of Malaysia on their participation in a hard-fought election campaign. Malaysians from all parties, states, and backgrounds engaged the electoral process in large numbers peacefully and with great enthusiasm.
We fully expect all institutions will carry out their functions and duties to produce and implement official results in accordance with the federal constitution and the will of the people.