The United States joins the European Union in stressing that threats against judges from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal are not conducive to creating the conditions required to hold free and fair elections in 2019.

Respect for the independence of the judiciary, political pluralism, and freedom of expression are fundamental rights and essential pillars of democracy and the rule of law.

The United States supports a healthy democracy in Bolivia that respects Bolivia’s constitution and the will of the Bolivian people.

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The United States welcomes recent steps by the EU and its Member States to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine. The European Parliament’s December 12 resolution reiterates the importance of Ukraine’s role in the European energy supply network and condemns the construction of the Kremlin-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a political project. We urge Germany to heed the concerns of the many neighbors whose security will be damaged by this pipeline.

We also welcome the unanimous decision of the European Council to extend economic sanctions against Russia. We support the EU position that Russia’s November 25th attack on Ukrainian vessels in the Black Sea constituted a violation of international law and welcome the EU’s efforts to provide support to areas of Ukraine negatively affected by Russian aggression in the Sea of Azov.

The United States will continue to hold Russia accountable for its actions, and we will continue to work with European partners and Allies to present a unified front against the Kremlin’s aggression.

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The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:‎

In Sofia on December 14, during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva, Deputy Secretary John Sullivan advocated for NATO-interoperable U.S. systems as Bulgaria seeks to modernize its armed forces. The Deputy Secretary also emphasized the importance of further developing U.S.-Bulgarian commercial ties, fostering stability and economic development of the Western Balkans, and developing ever-closer cooperation within NATO. He also highlighted the importance for Bulgaria of enhancing its energy security.

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The United States participated in COP24 to protect U.S. interests, advance a level playing field for U.S. business, and promote the U.S. balanced approach to economic growth, energy security, and environmental protection. Judith Garber, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) at the U.S. Department of State, served as head of the U.S. delegation and delivered the U.S. National Statement. The United States expresses its appreciation to Poland for its hospitality, excellent preparation, and leadership at COP24, which concluded in Katowice on December 15, 2018.

The Administration’s position on the Paris Agreement remains unchanged. On June 1, 2017, the President announced the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement absent terms more favorable to the American people.

During COP24, the United States highlighted its balanced approach that promotes economic growth, improves energy security, and protects the environment. This balanced approach is gaining traction with pragmatic partner countries who recognize we can protect economic growth and energy security while preserving the environment.

U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions have fallen by 14 percent since 2005, even as the U.S. economy has grown by 19.4 percent. This world-leading achievement and a diverse energy portfolio is possible thanks to early stage research and development and private sector finance and innovation. As U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently said, “In America… [w]e’ve unleashed our energy companies to innovate and compete. And our carbon emissions have declined dramatically.”

The United States takes note of the negotiated outcome and appreciates the hard work of our negotiators. The outcome took a significant step toward holding our economic competitors accountable for reporting their emissions in a manner consistent with standards the United States has met since 1992. The United States is not taking on any burdens or financial pledges in support of the Paris Agreement and will not allow climate agreements to be used as a vehicle to redistribute wealth.We will work with our many partner countries to innovate and deploy a broad array of technologies that promote economic growth, improve energy security, and protect the environment.

For press inquiries, please contact ClimateComms@state.gov.

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At the eleventh annual International Civil Aviation Organization Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2018) in Nairobi, Kenya, December 10-14, 2018, U.S. delegates met with counterparts from over 20 countries. The delegation negotiated new bilateral Open Skies Agreements, expanded and modernized existing agreements, pressed for fair treatment of U.S. companies, and promoted dialogue on new commercial aviation opportunities worldwide.

On December 12, the U.S. and Haitian delegations agreed, ad referendum, on the text of their first bilateral Open Skies Air Transport Agreement. Such agreements establish fair ground rules to facilitate growth of an efficient, international aviation network.

On December 14, the U.S. and Colombian delegations agreed, ad referendum, to amend the 2011 U.S.-Colombia Air Transport Agreement to permit seventh-freedom rights for all-cargo operations, allowing flights between a second and third country without touching the airline’s home country, and to modernize air charter provisions.

The U.S. delegation, led by Department of State Senior Advisor Terri Robl, included representatives from the Departments of State and Transportation. Information on U.S. aviation policy and Open Skies agreements currently in force is available on the Department of State’s website here: https://www.state.gov/e/eb/tra/ata/.

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