About the Author: Gabrielle Price serves as Information Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey.

As the sun set over the Bosporus, three generations of American jazz greats ranging from Wayne Shorter to Branford Marsalis to Esperanza Spalding came together at the home of U.S. Consul General Scott Kilner for a prelude celebration of UNESCO International Jazz Day. Observed in over 196 countries on April 30 of each year, International Jazz Day acknowledges the unifying power of jazz, the musical art form born in America and enjoyed worldwide. This year, Istanbul serves as the host city of International Jazz Day; a nod to the musical legacy of Ahmet and Nesih Ertugun, the founders of Atlantic Records, who as the adolescent sons of the Turkish Ambassador to Washington, used jazz concerts at the Turkish Embassy to break down the color line in the nation’s capital.

Jazz music knows no class, creed, or color.… more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks to the press in Istanbul, Turkey on April 21, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/04/207813.htm

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and Syrian Opposition Council Chairman Moaz al-Khatib in Istanbul, Turkey on April 21, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Secretary Kerry meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and members of the Syrian Opposition Coalition in Istanbul, Turkey on April 20, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Secretary Kerry has arrived in Istanbul, Turkey for meetings with Turkish officials and the Syrian Opposition Coalition. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Spokesperson
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 18, 2013

Secretary Kerry will travel to Istanbul, Turkey, on April 19 to meet with key partners and members of the Syrian Opposition Coalition to further explore ways that the international community can support the opposition and accelerate a Syrian-led political transition.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to Brussels, Belgium, from April 22-24 to participate in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. The Secretary and his counterparts will discuss how to maintain a strong Alliance capable of protecting member states against current and future threats, in light of regional and global security challenges.

In addition, NATO foreign ministers will meet in the NATO-Russian Council with their Russian Federation counterpart. They will also join with non-NATO contributors to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and representatives of the Government of Afghanistan to review the status of the joint Afghan/ISAF transition plan, and to discuss NATO’s post-2014 mission in Afghanistan.

While in Brussels, the Secretary will meet with senior officials of the European Union and have other bilateral meetings.

About the Author: Gabrielle Price serves as Information Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey.

Early in the morning of Sunday, April 7, Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Istanbul, which marked his second visit as Secretary of State to Turkey. Secretary Kerry met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, whom President Obama will host at the White House in May. Secretary Kerry and the Turkish officials discussed a range of issues, including the crisis in Syria and regional peace and security.

Amidst these meetings,… more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry departs Atatürk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey, April 7, 2013. Go to www.state.gov for details about the Secretary’s travel. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu deliver remarks at a joint press availability in Istanbul, Turkey, April 7, 2013. Go to www.state.gov for details about the Secretary’s travel. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]