Press Releases: On the Anniversary of the 9/11 Terror Attacks


Press Statement

Michael R. Pompeo

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

September 10, 2018


Tomorrow we honor the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the terrorist attacks 17 years ago on September 11. Tomorrow also marks six years since the tragic loss in Libya of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Glen Doherty, Sean Smith, and Tyrone Woods.

The diverse nationalities of the victims of 9/11 and the attack in Libya remind us that terrorism is a global issue that requires the efforts of every sovereign nation to defeat it. Diplomacy plays a central role in counterterrorism by combating extremism and promoting stability and freedom worldwide. While we have made great strides over the past 17 years, our efforts to eradicate terrorism continue today. The men and women of the U.S. Department of State are proud to stand side-by-side with partners from all over the world in this effort, and we will not waver in our resolve to pursue peace, security, and justice.

Tomorrow we join with people across the globe in remembering the victims of 9/11. Those who were lost will never be forgotten. We continue to pray for guidance, wisdom, and protection for the men and women in uniform who fight each day to guard the world against terrorism, and we pray for the unity of our nation and the world in times of peril and peace.






Press Releases: Assistant Secretary Marie Royce Travels to the United Kingdom, Greece, and Finland


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 10, 2018


Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce will travel to the United Kingdom, Greece, and Finland, September 10–19, to promote and strengthen the State Department’s cultural and educational diplomacy efforts in Europe.

While in the United Kingdom, Assistant Secretary Royce will provide remarks at the House of Commons on September 12 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission. She will also meet with government officials, academic leaders, and alumni of the Fulbright, International Visitor Leadership Program, and other State Department-sponsored exchange programs.

In Greece, Assistant Secretary Royce will deliver closing remarks to the Digital Communications Network Influencers Forum at the Thessaloniki International Fair, where the United States is being recognized as the Honored Country. She will also speak about the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Greece Fulbright Commission at a Greek-American Relations conference, and will meet with Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund grantees, as well as government officials.

Finally in Finland, Assistant Secretary Royce will visit the European Center for Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, engage with Fulbright Finland Foundation and the Finnish National Agency for Education, meet with government officials, and provide opening remarks at the Institute of International Education Generation Study Abroad Symposium, an initiative launched in 2014 to double and diversify the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade.

For further information, contact ECA-Press@state.gov. Follow along on Twitter at @ECA_AS.






Press Releases: Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback Travels to Ukraine, Poland, and Uzbekistan


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 10, 2018


In Ukraine, Ambassador Brownback will meet with government officials and religious leaders to discuss efforts to protect and promote religious freedom.

In Poland, Ambassador Brownback will attend the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as part of the U.S. delegation. He will participate in discussions about repressive measures against peaceful members of ethnic and religious groups. This annual meeting brings together hundreds of civil society representatives and government officials from North America, Europe, and Central Asia for talks to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms. Ambassador Brownback will also participate in a host of bilateral meetings with government officials and religious leaders to discuss religious freedom issues.
Ambassador Brownback will also tour the Auschwitz concentration camp, where he will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Auschwitz Wall of Death and a candle-lighting ceremony at the International Monument at the conclusion of the tour.

In Uzbekistan, Ambassador Brownback will meet with senior government officials to discuss Uzbekistan’s recent positive steps on religious freedom policies and encourage legislative reforms that ensure Uzbekistan upholds its international obligations on freedom of religion or belief.

Please contact DRL-Press@state.gov for more information and follow along with Ambassador Brownback’s trip on Twitter @IRF_Ambassador.






Press Releases: Assistant Secretary Mitchell Travel to Tbilisi and Skopje


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 10, 2018


Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs A. Wess Mitchell will travel to Europe from September 11 to 14.

On September 11, he will arrive in Tbilisi, Georgia, where he will meet with senior officials, other political leaders, and civil society representatives to discuss U.S.-Georgian cooperation on a range of global issues. He will also address the 2018 Tbilisi International Conference to reinforce U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, continued democratic development, and aspirations to integrate into Western institutions.

Assistant Secretary Mitchell will then travel to Skopje, Macedonia on September 13, where he will meet with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and other senior officials to discuss U.S. support for the Prespa Agreement between Macedonia and Greece and the upcoming September 30 referendum. He will also meet with business leaders and members of parliament to exchange views and underscore our support for the country as it moves forward to take its place in the Western family.






Press Releases: Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea L. Thompson Travels to Tbilisi, Georgia


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 10, 2018


Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea L. Thompson will travel to Tbilisi, Georgia September 10-12, 2018. Under Secretary Thompson will meet with senior officials to discuss bilateral issues, regional security, and how the Department’s “T Family” – the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance; the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation; and the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs – contribute toward long-term security and stability in a critical region.

Additionally, Under Secretary Thompson will join the Georgian Minister of Defense on a panel at the 2018 Tbilisi International Conference to discuss Global Security. Finally, Under Secretary Thompson will visit with officials at the Richard G. Lugar Center for Public Health Research.

Follow the Under Secretary’s travels on Twitter at @UnderSecT, as well as @StateDeptPM, @StateISN, and @StateAVC. Follow on Facebook at @UnderSecT.