Highlights from Secretary Kerry’s first international trip, including Ankara, Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

About the Author: Emily Abraham serves as Information Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

As Secretary Kerry landed in Riyadh to begin the Gulf leg of his journey, he was invited by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to enjoy a cup of Saudi coffee in a traditional welcoming ceremony, a first stop often made even before departing the airport terminal in the Kingdom.

Taking time to sip hot cardamom-infused qahwa from a small cup accompanied by fresh dates is the standard welcome provided by any host in the Kingdom, and the ceremony is steeped in etiquette, whether the cup is offered by the youngest son pouring rounds for guests in private homes or by waiters circling tables at a grand banquet hall.

It was only the first of many ceremonial coffees offered during a trip filled with bilateral meetings on a broad range of shared concerns, as Secretary Kerry… more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 3, 2013.

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.

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 Hillary Rodham Clinton is greeted by Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on March 30, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 30-31, 2012. While in Riyadh, she met with King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. During their meeting, King Abdullah and Secretary Clinton discussed the situation in Iran and upcoming plans for the P-5+1 meetings with the Iranians. They talked about Syria in advance of the second meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People, which is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey on April 1, 2012. They also discussed Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt, global oil supplies, and… more »

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PUBLIC SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Secretary Clinton is on foreign travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Istanbul, Turkey through April 1. The Secretary is accompanied by Assistant Secretary Feltman, Assistant Secretary Shapiro, Director Sullivan, VADM Harry B. Harris, Jr., CJCS, Puneet Talwar, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director, NSS. Please click here for more information.

9:20 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton meets with Embassy Riyadh staff and their families, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

10:00 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton meets with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(POOLED CAMERA SPRAY PRECEDING MEETING)

12:30 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton attends the Gulf Cooperation Council-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Forum Ministerial, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE FOR REMARKS)

2:40 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton attends the Gulf Cooperation Council-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Forum Luncheon, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

3:50 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a joint press availability with GCC Chairman and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)

Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton travels to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from March 30-31, 2012. While in Riyadh, she will meet King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. She will also attend the First Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Forum. In her conversations, she will discuss the full range of bilateral and regional issues, including ongoing security cooperation in the region, as well as the international community(tm)s continuing efforts to stop the bloodshed in Syria.

Secretary Clinton will then travel to Istanbul, Turkey from March 31-April 1 to attend the second meeting of the “Friends… more »