Secretary Pompeo traveled to Budapest, Bratislava, Warsaw, Brussels, and Reykjavik February 11-15.
On February 11, he arrived in Budapest, Hungary, where he met with Prime Minister Orban, Foreign Minister Szijjarto, Defense Minister Benko to discuss a range of issues in the U.S.-Hungary bilateral relationship, including defense cooperation, energy and regional security, support for Ukraine, and ways to counter Russian and Chinese influence and strengthen the Western alliance. The Secretary also met with civil society leaders.
On February 12, he arrived in Bratislava, Slovakia, where he met with President Kiska, Prime Minister Pellegrini, and Foreign Minister Lajcak to discuss the U.S.-Slovak security relationship, Slovakia’s role as Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, and regional and global issues. He visited the Gate of Freedom memorial, where more than 400 people died attempting to escape from communist Czechoslovakia to freedom in Austria between 1948 and 1989. He also spoke with students about the legacy of Western democratic freedom and its triumph over Communism 30 years ago.
Later that day, he traveled to Warsaw, Poland, where he met with Foreign Minister Czaputowicz to discuss security and energy issues, building on the strong relations between the United States and Poland. In Warsaw, the United States co-hosted, with Poland, the “Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East.”
Secretary Pompeo then traveled to Brussels, Belgium, where he met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to discuss U.S.-EU cooperation on a range of key issues including efforts to restore democracy to Venezuela and support Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaido and the National Assembly, as well as the importance of strengthening European security and addressing the threats posed by Iran and Russia.
Finally, the Secretary traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland on February 15. In Reykjavik, the Secretary met with Prime Minister Jakobsdottir and Foreign Minister Thordarson and discussed security issues in the North Atlantic, Iceland’s upcoming chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and growing economic relations.
Mike Pompeo
Slovakia, Poland