Press Releases: Arrest of Serbian Official in Kosovo


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

March 27, 2018


The United States strongly condemns yesterday’s events in Mitrovica, which unnecessarily heighten tensions and threaten regional stability. We urge all parties to avoid further escalation of the situation, and to act calmly and resolve disputes peacefully. To create lasting peace and stability in the Balkans, both Kosovo and Serbia need to focus on normalizing relations through the EU-led Dialogue. The United States stands ready to support all parties in Dialogue negotiations.






Press Releases: Joint Statement on the 15th Meeting of the India-U.S. Working Group on Counterterrorism


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

March 27, 2018


The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of India and the United States of America on the occasion of the 15th Meeting of the India-U.S. Working Group on Counterterrorism:

Begin Text:

The 15th meeting of the India-U.S. Counterterrorism Joint Working Group was held in New Delhi on March 27, 2018. Led by Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Shri Mahaveer Singhvi and the State Department’s Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Alina L. Romanowski, the Indian and the U.S. delegations achieved important progress on counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries.

The working group reviewed threats posed by terrorist groups worldwide and in their respective regions, including cross-border terrorism in the South Asia region. Both sides committed to strengthening information sharing on some of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups and individuals and exchanged views on efforts to counter the financing and operations of regional and global terrorist organizations. The two sides discussed international efforts to counter threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters. The working group also discussed international and bilateral cooperation on justice, law enforcement, and capacity building efforts to counter terrorism, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2396.

Following up on the inaugural U.S.-India Counterterrorism Designations Dialogue in December 2017, the delegations discussed ongoing efforts to ensure the effective implementation of domestic and international terrorist designations. The United States will host the next meeting of the Joint Working Group in 2019.






Press Releases: The 70th Anniversary of the Marshall Plan: A Legacy Remembered


Notice to the Press

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

March 27, 2018


The United States Diplomacy Center, in cooperation with the George C. Marshall Foundation will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Marshall Plan into law with a program at the Center on Tuesday, April 3, at 2:00 p.m.

The program features opening remarks by Dr. Dan Hamilton, the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation Professor and Founding Director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Benn Steil, senior fellow and director of international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of recently published The Marshall Plan: Dawn of the Cold War. A panel discussion of “Perspectives on the Marshall Plan” will be moderated by Ambassador Thomas Pickering. Panelists include Ambassador Henne Shuwer of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Ambassador Peter Wittig of the Federal Republic of Germany; ambassador David O’Sullivan of the European Union; and Assistant Secretary A. Wess Mitchell of the Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

In a June 1947, speech at Harvard University, Secretary of State George C. Marshall offered U.S. assistance to a devastated Europe. Marshall enlisted popular and Congressional support for the idea that became informally known as the Marshall Plan. President Truman signed legislation to enact the European Recovery Program on April 3, 1948. This event is part of the George C. Marshall Legacy Series that interprets General Marshall’s legacy through exhibitions, speakers and programs centered on key themes or episodes from his career.

The United States Diplomacy Center, a public-private partnership, is located at the U.S. Department of State. It is dedicated to telling the stories of American diplomacy. It explores U.S. foreign policy issues, introduces the people who conduct diplomacy on behalf of the country, and highlights diplomacy’s historical and contemporary impact on American lives.

The George C. Marshall Center, based in Lexington, Virginia, celebrates a man of towering stature. His characteristics of honesty, integrity, and selfless service stand as shining examples for those who study the past and for those generations to come. The Marshall Foundation is dedicated to celebrating his legacy and inspiring new leaders.

The event is open to the press. Pre-set time for cameras is 1:15 p.m. from the 21st Street entrance. Final access time for writers and stills is 1:30 p.m. from the 21st Street entrance.

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 further information, please contact Mary Fanous at fanousmk@state.gov, or phone 202-472-8215, or visit https://diplomacy.state.gov/ or @diplomacycenter on Twitter using the hashtag #DiscoverDiplomacy.






Press Releases: Deputy Secretary Sullivan’s Meeting With Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman


Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

March 26, 2018


The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:‎

On March 26, Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in Washington, D.C. Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Foreign Minister Anifah affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership and pledged to continue to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties. The Deputy Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the South China Sea, to include ensuring freedom of navigation and over-flights, as well as upholding a rules-based maritime order. The two leaders also pledged to strengthen cooperation to counter the growing threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.






Press Releases: Deputy Secretary Sullivan’s Meeting With Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi


Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

March 26, 2018


The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:‎

On March 26, Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Foreign Minister Marsudi reaffirmed the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership and our mutual commitment to deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region for the benefit of regional security, prosperity, and a rules-based international order.