U.S. Department of State

In Brussels, International Community Solidifies Commitment to Mali’s Recovery

Women Sell Cloth at the Grand Market in Bamako, Mali

Representatives from more than 80 countries met in Brussels on May 15 to pledge their support for Mali, which is recovering from political upheaval and the occupation of its northern territory by rebels and terrorist groups.

Nancy Lindborg, USAID’s Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, and I announced an additional $32 million in new U.S. humanitarian assistance to support Malians affected by the crisis. MORE

Secretary Kerry’s Meetings in Brussels

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry looks on as Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani shake hands after their trilateral meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on April 24, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

More: Photos From the Trip

Following a busy Tuesday at NATO, Secretary of State John Kerry continued to meet with foreign leaders in Brussels today. Secretary Kerry began this morning with “an expansive conservation” with Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, before he met with Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and then held a dialogue with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. His meetings covered an extensive range of topics, from the importance of trade negotiations to security… more »

U.S. Secretary of State delivers remarks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistani General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Jilani before their meeting in Tervuren, Belgium on April 24, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/04/207920.htm

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks after the NATO Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium on April 23, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/04/207890.htm

Secretary Kerry Attends NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels

Foreign Ministers from NATO countries begin the North Atlantic Council meeting on the Middle East and Syria at NATO headquarters on April 23, 2013, in Brussels, Belgium. [AP Photo]

About the Author: David Siefkin serves as Public Affairs Advisor at the U.S. Mission to NATO.

This morning, Secretary of State John Kerry arrived at NATO to take his seat for the first time at the North Atlantic Council, the governing body of NATO, as ministers of the 28 Allies converged to discuss some of the world’s most sensitive questions. Secretary Kerry strode past the cameras and photographers, as journalists pleaded with him in French to make a comment. “Apres, après,” Kerry said, “afterwards.”

The atmosphere inside the meeting room was somber, as developments in Syria and Korea were on the morning agenda. Just before the meeting began, NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen told the journalists outside, “We can see that the situation in Syria is getting worse. We cannot ignore the risks of a regional spill-over with possible implications for Allied security.… more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius at a signing ceremony for cooperation on countering nuclear smuggling in Brussels, Belgium on April 23, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/04/207875.htm

President Barroso and Secretary Kerry Engage the Next Generation of Transatlantic Leaders

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso meet with young European and American fellows in Brussels, Belgium, on April 22, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Jonathan Howard serves as Deputy Press Attache at the U.S. Mission to the European Union.

Secretary of State John Kerry was welcomed on his first visit to Brussels, the “Capital of Europe,” by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on April 22. After discussing ways to strengthen the transatlantic partnership, President Barroso and Secretary Kerry engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue with future U.S. and EU leaders who are currently doing young professional “stagiaire” fellowships at the European Commission. Rather than share my own thoughts on the event, I would like to share with you the observations of Alex Gish, a “stagiaire” at the European Commission who posed the first question at the event. Alex writes:

“When Secretary of State… more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Brussels, Belgium on April 22, 2013.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry greets Belgian Ambassador Pierre Labouverie upon arrival in Brussels, Belgium on April 21, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Secretary of State John Kerry’s Travel to Europe

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.