Press Releases: Opening of U.S. Embassy Jerusalem


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

February 23, 2018


In May, the United States plans to open a new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. The opening will coincide with Israel’s 70th anniversary. The Embassy will initially be located in the Arnona neighborhood, in a modern building that now houses consular operations of U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem. Those consular operations, including American citizen and visa services, will continue at the Arnona facility without interruption, as part of the Embassy. Consulate General Jerusalem will continue to operate as an independent mission with an unchanged mandate, from its historic Agron Road location. Initially, the interim Embassy in Arnona will contain office space for the Ambassador and a small staff. By the end of next year, we intend to open a new Embassy Jerusalem annex on the Arnona compound that will provide the Ambassador and his team with expanded interim office space. In parallel, we have started the search for a site for our permanent Embassy to Israel, the planning and construction of which will be a longer-term undertaking. We are excited about taking this historic step, and look forward with anticipation to the May opening.






Press Releases: Brunei Darussalam National Day


Press Statement

Rex W. Tillerson

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

February 21, 2018


On behalf of President Trump and the American people, I send my best wishes to the people of Brunei Darussalam as you celebrate your 34th National Day on February 23, 2018.

Brunei Darussalam is our valued partner in Southeast Asia, with our friendly relations dating back more than 170 years. The United States believes our longstanding bilateral relationship serves as a model for cooperation in strengthening peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific. We look forward to working with Brunei Darussalam to advance our shared interests in the economic, security, and cultural realms.

I wish His Majesty Hassanal Bolkiah and all the people of Brunei a peaceful and prosperous year, and I extend the warmest congratulations from the American people as you celebrate your country’s anniversary.






Press Releases: State Department Announces Fulbright Top Producing Institutions


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

February 21, 2018


The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that the lists of more than 150 U.S. higher education institutions that sent the most Fulbright U.S. Students and Scholars abroad in academic year 2017-2018 are now available. The lists highlight the Fulbright Program’s strong institutional diversity and impact on American communities.

The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, compiles the lists, which are organized by Carnegie Classification.

Topping this year’s lists of Research, Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Special-focus 4-year institutions that sent the most U.S. students abroad on the Fulbright Program are Brown University (RI), Truman State University (MO), Bates College (ME), and the Rhode Island School of Design. The University of Michigan, Ithaca College (NY), Middlebury College (VT), and the University of Richmond (VA) sent the most Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Research, Master’s, and Bachelor’s categories. Fulbright Students are recent college graduates, graduate students, and early career professionals. Fulbright Scholars are faculty, researchers, administrators, and established professionals.

Twenty-five U.S. community colleges and several special focus four-year institutions also sent Fulbright U.S. Scholars abroad in 2017-2018 and are recognized in the top producing lists. For a full list of the institutions by category, please visit the Fulbright Online website.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 380,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential—with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Over 1,900 U.S. students, artists, and early career professionals in more than 100 different fields of study receive Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants annually to study, teach English, and conduct research overseas. More than 800 U.S. scholars, artists and professionals teach or conduct research overseas through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program annually.

Interested media should contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at eca-press@state.gov.






Press Releases: Recent Actions Regarding Latvia’s Banking Sector


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

February 20, 2018


The United States has full confidence that the Government of Latvia will take the necessary steps to uphold the integrity of its banking and financial sector. For many years, we have been working together with Latvia to combat corruption, money laundering, and other threats to international security. Moving forward, the United States supports and will continue to help the Government of Latvia, the Latvian Financial Capital and Markets Commission, and Latvian law enforcement to realize our shared vision of a strong and well-regulated Latvian financial sector.






Press Releases: State of Emergency in Maldives


Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

February 20, 2018


The United States is disappointed by reports that Maldivian President Yameen has extended the state of emergency in that country for an additional 30 days. The United States continues to call on President Yameen to end the state of emergency, uphold the rule of law, permit the full and proper functioning of the Parliament and the judiciary, restore constitutionally guaranteed rights of the people of Maldives, and respect Maldives’ international human rights obligations and commitments.