U.S. Department of State

‘All Roads Lead to Rome’

Secretary Kerry and Ambassador Thorne Appear Before Reporters in Rome

Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Rome 10 weeks ago, but welcoming him back to Italy again is special, for we share much history and a long friendship. We both were the sons of diplomats who served in post-war Europe, and as young boys we both lived through the Marshall Plan and have similar memories of Europe’s rebirth from the destruction of WWII. Later as young men, we became close friends during college, playing soccer for Yale, touring Europe in a London taxicab I bought, and serving together in Vietnam. In addition to welcoming back an old friend, however, the Secretary’s May 8-9 visit to Italyprovided the opportunity for the United States to advance diplomacy on the Syrian crisis and Middle East peace with Jordan, Israel, the Quartet on the Middle East, and our key ally Italy, reminding us all that the ancient maxim still rings true: all roads really do lead to Rome. MORE

Highlights from the first stops in Secretary Kerry’s first international trip, including London, Berlin, Paris, and Rome. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

In Rome, Secretary Kerry Announces Nonlethal Assistance to Syria

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Kerry delivers a joint press statement with Syrian Opposition Council Chairman Mouaz al-Khatib and Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi in Rome, Italy, on February 28, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Jared Caplan serves as a spokesperson and deputy director of the U.S. Department of State Regional Media Hub in Dubai.

Stop four of Secretary Kerry’s Europe trip landed him in Rome and culminated with an announcement of $60 million in non-lethal assistance to strengthen the organizational capacity of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC). With this announcement, the United States is now providing more than $115 million in non-lethal support for the civilian opposition. As liberated areas across Syria struggle to rebuild their communities without the support of the central government, this additional assistance will enable the SOC to help enhance the capacity of local councils and communities so they can expand the delivery of basic goods and essential services, fulfill administrative functions, and extend the rule of law.

Significantly, the Secretary also announced that the United States would extend the…more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks on Syria with Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi and Syrian Opposition Council Chairman Moaz al-Khatib in Rome, Italy on February 28, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/02/205457.htm.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks to the press on Syria in Rome, Italy on February 27, 2013. A text transcript can be found at www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/02/205435.htm.

Travel to Europe and the Middle East: February 24-March 6

Photo Gallery | Trip Page

From February 24 to March 6, Secretary of State John Kerry is traveling to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Follow his trip on www.state.gov.

Secretary of State John Kerry’s Travel to Europe and the Middle East

Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 19, 2013

From February 24 to March 6, Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. MORE

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Blair House in Washington, D.C., February 15, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

In Malawi, the Future Belongs to the Organized

Women farmers welcome U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome David Lane to Tidi Village, Malawi, on January 14, 2013. [State Department photo by Sharon Ketchum/ Public Domain]

About the Author: David Lane serves as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome.

After an early morning departure from Tanzania, we arrived in the Malawian capital of Lilongwe in a steady rain. The rain is not always favorable for travel, but it was very welcome in Malawi after a drought during the 2012 rainy season impacted the maize crop and food security, particularly in the south.

As I continued my first media tour as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations food and agriculture agencies in Rome I was excited to have two reporters from Malawi join the group of seven talented reporters traveling with me, five African and two European, to witness programs on the ground and help tell the Malawian story of increasing food security in Africa.

Despite the difficult situation in the south, it is an exciting time to visit Malawi because… more »

Reporting on the U.S. Fight Against World Hunger

Villagers in Mtanga, Malawi, where U.N.-backed development projects are helping farmers grow maize and start fish farming, April 16, 2007. [AP File Photo]

About the Author: David Lane serves as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome.

Our journey started with an early morning flight into the Tanzanian city of Arusha, where we were greeted by the impressive sight of Mount Kilimanjaro, whose snow covered peak dominates the landscape.

I was on my first media tour as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome. Accompanying me was a group of talented reporters from five African countries — Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, Niger, and Tanzania — plus two Europeans from France and Italy.

The U.S. Mission I lead — to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International… more »