Secretary Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Shilla Hotel

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you, everyone.  Thank you, and good morning again.  Thank you.

So I again want to thank President Yoon and Foreign Minister Cho for bringing us together to discuss what is one of the most transformational forces that’s shaping our future, our world, our democracies – and that is artificial intelligence.

I think it’s hard to overstate the extent to which

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Regions: Chile, United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Global Health, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I offer heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Francis on the eleventh anniversary of his election to the See of Rome.

The United States and the Holy See are united by common values such as respect for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, as well as dignity for all. We continue to work together to address the challenges of climate change, hum

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States

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Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Via Teleconference QUESTION: It is my absolute honor to welcome to the show Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Hello, sir. SECRETARY POMPEO: It’s great to be with you. Thanks for having me on today. QUESTION: You’re very welcome. There’s all kinds of things we want to try and get through in our limited time. But first of all, you have to be incredibly proud of your department for getting 70,000 – I mean, 70,000 – Americans home from 128 countries. That’s a remarkable t...

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Photos from the trip» U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Europe from December 4-11, for a series of bilateral and multinational meetings. On December 4-5, the Secretary met in Berlin, Germany, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss cooperation on a range of regional and global issues, including the upcoming NATO and OSCE Ministerials, Syria, and Ukraine. Secretary Kerry also received the Federal Cross of Merit from Foreign Minister Steinmeier, and he met with a...

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Regions: Belgium , France , Germany , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Loading Map... Photos From the Trip» Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Cairo, Riyadh, Warsaw, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Amman, Geneva, and Abu Dhabi from November 2 to November 11. In Cairo, Secretary Kerry held bilateral discussions with officials. In Riyadh, Secretary Kerry met with King Abdullah to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. He reaffirmed the strategic nature of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, given the importance of the work between our two countries...

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Regions: Algeria , Iran , Morocco , Poland , Saudi Arabia , Switzerland , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

May 31, 2012 to June 7, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos : Armenia  | Azerbaijan Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Denmark , Norway , Sweden , Armenia , Georgia , Azerbaijan , and Turkey from May 31-June 7. In Copenhagen, Denmark, Secretary Clinton held bilateral meetings with senior Danish officials. She also participated in the kick-off event for Green Partnerships for Growth, a bilateral initiative to promote green technology t...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Armenia , Azerbaijan , Georgia , Iran , Norway , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

July 31, 2012 to August 10, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Africa July 31 through August 10, 2012. During this trip, the Secretary emphasized U.S. policy commitments outlined in the Presidential Policy Directive - to strengthen democratic institutions, spur economic growth, advance peace and security as well as promote opportunity and development for all citizens. The Secretary’s first stop was Sene...

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Regions: Somalia , South Africa , Sudan , Uganda , United Kingdom , United States

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February 22, 2012 to February 26, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos On February 23, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began a four-nation trip to London and North Africa. In London , the Secretary attended a conference hosted by Prime Minster David Cameron, dedicated to building stability and peace in Somalia. Heads of state and foreign ministers from over 50 countries as well as representatives of the United Nations and the African Union will attend. The timing of the ...

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November 11, 2012 to November 20, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos: Australia  -  East Asia Summit Cambodia 2012 | President's Trip Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Perth and Adelaide, Australia ; Singapore ; Bangkok, Thailand ; Rangoon, Burma ; and Phnom Penh, Cambodia November 11-20, 2012. On November 11, Secretary Clinton traveled to Perth, Australia to join U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Australian Foreign Minister Bob Car...

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August 30, 2012 to September 9, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos Secretary Clinton traveled to the Cook Islands, Indonesia , China , Timor-Leste , Brunei , and Russia departing Washington, DC on August 30. In the Cook Islands, Secretary Clinton attended the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Post Forum Dialogue on August 31 as part of our intensive engagement and ongoing collaboration with the Pacific Islands. Her visit emphasized the depth and breadth of American engagem...

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Regions: Antarctica, Brunei , China, Indonesia , Japan , New Zealand , Russia , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Human Rights and Democracy, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

December 3, 2012 to December 7, 2012 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is traveling to Prague, the Czech Republic; Brussels, Belgium ; Dublin, Ireland ; and Belfast, Northern Ireland December 3-7. Secretary Clinton traveled to Prague, the Czech Republic, December 3 to meet with Czech officials on strengthening Czech energy independence, as well as advancing human rights and supporting democratic transitions around the world. Secr...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Czech Republic , Georgia , Ireland , Russia , United Kingdom

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June 29, 2011 to July 2, 2011 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos: Hungary | Lithuania | Spain Secretary of State Clinton traveled to Budapest, Hungary , June 29, to participate in the dedication of the Lantos Institute. The establishment of the Lantos Institute has been supported by the Government of Hungary to promote Hungarian-born Congressman Tom Lantos’ long commitment to democratic principles and the protection of individual and human rights. Secretary Clinton also ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Hungary , Spain , United Kingdom , United States

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December 4, 2011 to December 8, 2011 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos: Switzerland | Netherlands On December 4-8, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Germany , Lithuania , Switzerland , Belgium , and the Netherlands . In Bonn, Germany, Secretary Clinton led the United States’ high-level, interagency delegation to the International Conference for Afghanistan on December 5. The Bonn Conference, the first of its kind to be chaired solely by the Afghan Go...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Belarus , Netherlands , Russia , Switzerland

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July 1, 2010 to July 6, 2010 Travels With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Photos | Poland Photos  | Georgia Photos | Answers From Text the Secretary In Kyiv , Secretary Clinton opened the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Commission and met with government officials, including President Yanukovych and Foreign Minister Gryshchenko, and with civil society and independent media leaders. In Krakow , Secretary Clinton participated in the celebration of the 10th anniversary ...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State C Street Lobby Washington, DC January 19, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. (Cheers.) Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. I accept the nomination. (Laughter.) Thank you very much. That was – that silenced it pretty fast. (Laughter.) I am leaving here, obviously, with sadness. It’s bittersweet because you leave. But I actually am excited about the next chapter. And I have a feeling we’re all going to continue to cross paths, co...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Press Briefing Room Washington, DC January 19, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Anyway, I just want to come down here to prep Kirby – (laughter) – and make sure that he’s up to this last briefing here. I want to thank a number of people. First of all, I really want to thank John Kirby leading the team here, together with Mark Toner and Marie Harf and Jen Psaki, who sort of carried the burden of briefing everybody and standing here for many hours and trying to...

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Regions: Iran , Israel

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Davos, Switzerland January 17, 2017 MR SCHWAB: Good afternoon, and before we start our session – and I know, Mr. Secretary, you will be in very good hands with my friend Tom Friedman – but allow me to be very personal. It’s your last session in your official capacity here in Davos, and I want to use this opportunity to thank you. You have been such a great friend and partner of the World Economic Forum. You have been a personal mentor to me. I reme...

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Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 16, 2017 On the one-year anniversary of Implementation Day under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), we mark an historic understanding that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and demonstrated the power of sustained, principled, multilateral diplomacy to address major international challenges. Implementing this highly technical deal has required diligent efforts by all participants -- the P5+1, the European Union,...

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Regions: Iran , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State London, United Kingdom January 16, 2017 QUESTION: Secretary Kerry, welcome to the program. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Happy to be here. QUESTION: We have a lot to talk about. The incoming president, your Administration’s legacy. But first and foremost, I want to ask you because here we sit on the very day that Donald Trump gives an interview to a German and a British newspaper. First and foremost, he says that he’s going to give a speedy, new, free and ...

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Regions: Iran , Israel , Russia , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France January 15, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Look, I – first of all, I am grateful to the French for being willing to host the conference and I appreciate and respect their moral engagement and passion with the issue of peace, which I know matters to them deeply. And I think that – I really do believe that it is important that 70 nations, particularly – well, entities, but mostly nations – came together to reinforce the two-state solution ...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Hanoi, Vietnam January 13, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Mr. Deputy Minister, thank you very much. It's a privilege (inaudible) to be able to share some thoughts with you today. And I'm delighted to be back in Vietnam where we are developing still the growing relationship between our countries. There have been a lot of steps forward. There are still some challenges, as you know. And the question that was asked a moment ago raises one of those challenges and we will ...

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Hanoi, Vietnam January 13, 2017 PRIME MINISTER NGUYEN: (Via translator) Mr. Secretary, it's a great pleasure to welcome you back to Vietnam. I wish you another successful trip on behalf of the government and people of Vietnam. And on behalf of the government and people of Vietnam, I'm very much thankful to you for your many (inaudible) and contributions that you have made to move the bilateral relations forward in the past several decades. The people of Viet...

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Regions: United States , Vietnam

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Education Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam January 13, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: President Dung, thank you very, very much for that introduction. Xin Chao Viet Nam. (Applause.) I want to thank Party Secretary Dinh La Thang, and the People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong. I'm very, very grateful for your welcome. I'm honored to be here, And I'm very pleased to be here in a building the president just told me was b...

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Regions: Cambodia , China, Laos , Thailand , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 11, 2017 Congress designated January 11 as the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness in 2007, targeting a problem with an estimated 20 million victims in every corner of the world. Human trafficking continues today to be a threat to freedom and stability, undermining the rule of law, scarring communities, and degrading the rights of individuals. We must not waver in our resolve to combat this crime. The State Department’s O...

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Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 10, 2017 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, this journey, this part of your life, is coming to an end. You’ve traveled more than any other secretary of state. You have spent considerable time and hours on a lot of issues, from China to Russia to – from Asia to Latin America. But principally, you spent a lot of time on Israel and Palestine and you spent a lot of time on the Iran nuclear deal and you’ve spent a lot of time on Syria and...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Egypt , Indonesia , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Russia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam , West Bank

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Institute of Peace Washington, DC January 10, 2017 MS WOODRUFF: Thank you, Nancy. I’m delighted to be here and, Mr. Secretary, I understand you sprinted across the street. Is that right? SECRETARY KERRY: My sprinting days are reduced, but I came. I got here. (Laughter.) MS WOODRUFF: Well, there – you were spied hurrying, I’ll put it that way. SECRETARY KERRY: “Spied,” right. (Laughter.) MS WOODRUFF: So the format is that I’m ...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Annapolis, MD January 10, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Please, please, be seated. Admiral, thank you very, very much for welcoming me here to this storied academy. I am really privileged to be here, and I’m anxious to hear your questions and look forward to having a little bit of a dialogue if we can. I want to recognize Admiral Frank Pandolfe, who is class of 1980. He has served as a liaison between the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the State Depart...

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Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC January 10, 2017 UNDER SECRETARY KENNEDY: Secretary Baker was not able to be with us here this evening, but it’s now my honor to read a letter from the 61st Secretary of State: “Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. I regret that I am unable to join Secretary Kerry and my former secretary colleagues, all of whom have been crucial to the creation of the U.S. Diplomacy Center Pavilion. The completion of the Diplomacy Center...

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Regions: France , Iran , United Kingdom , United States

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Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 9, 2017 Throughout my career, including as Secretary of State, I have stood strongly in support of the LGBTI community, recognizing that respect for human rights must include respect for all individuals. LGBTI employees serve as proud members of the State Department and valued colleagues dedicated to the service of our country. For the past several years, the Department has pressed for the families of LGBTI officers to have the same pr...

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Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Cambridge, Massachusetts January 9, 2017 QUESTION: Senator Kerry, I hear you have logged 1.4 million more miles than any other secretary of state in history, and I’m wondering, are you happy to be done with this or would you keep going if you could? SECRETARY KERRY: It’s a great job. It’s a great job. I could certainly keep going for a while, but that’s not the way it is, so I’m looking forward to new adventures – to getting out...

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Regions: Antarctica, China, France , Iran , Israel , Korea, North , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Cambridge, Massachusetts January 9, 2017 QUESTION: Secretary Kerry, thank you so much for speaking with me today. SECRETARY KERRY: My pleasure. Thank you. QUESTION: First of all, I want to ask you – just big-picture here – how are you feeling at the end of your term? SECRETARY KERRY: I feel great. I mean, I feel very energized still, very focused, trying to finish up some key things; regretting a little bit that there isn’t more time to try to fi...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Cambridge, Massachusetts January 9, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much for a generous welcome to somebody who is about to become one of the most visibly unemployed people in America. (Laughter.) I am really thrilled to be here. Great, always, to be home, but it’s special to be here at MIT. And I want to begin by thanking Dean Schmittlein. Thank you very, very much. It&...

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Regions: Antarctica, Brazil , Chile, China, India , New Zealand , Saudi Arabia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 8, 2017 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I want to thank the Government of Mexico for their swift and decisive arrest of a suspect in the heinous attack against our Foreign Service Officer colleague in Guadalajara, Mexico. The safety and security of U.S. citizens and our diplomatic staff overseas are among our highest priorities. My thoughts and prayers remain with this officer and his family during thi...

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Regions: Mexico

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC January 6, 2017 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for joining us today. SECRETARY KERRY: A pleasure. Thank you. QUESTION: As you prepare to leave office at the end of the term, Russia and the role of Russia’s cyber hacking in the U.S. Russia has now, according to testimony and the intelligence at Armed Services hearings, Russia has hacked the State Department as we knew, the Joint Chiefs, obviously the DNC and ot...

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Regions: China, Egypt , France , Iran , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

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Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC January 6, 2017 QUESTION: Is it true that the Trump transition has decreed that all politically appointed ambassadors have to be gone by Inauguration Day? SECRETARY KERRY: Yes. QUESTION: Does that tell you that they intend to make a pretty clean break with the Obama Administration’s foreign policy? SECRETARY KERRY: No, because all ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president, number one. Number two, it is traditional ...

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Topics: Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC January 6, 2017 QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY KERRY: My pleasure. QUESTION: Let’s start with alleged Russian hacking. Former CIA Director Leon Panetta said this morning that President Obama should have taken action last summer when it first became evident that the Russians were trying to hack the U.S. election. He said it was an attack on our country. Why didn’t you take action? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, ...

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Regions: China, France , Iran , Israel , Korea, North , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC January 6, 2017 QUESTION: Secretary of State John Kerry, thank you very much for talking with us. SECRETARY KERRY: My pleasure. Thank you. QUESTION: So now that it has been confirmed that the Russians interfered aggressively in the U.S. election, does this represent a fundamental change in the United States relationship with Russia? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, that remains to be determined. It certainly represents a major challenge in...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Iran , Iraq , Israel , Korea, North , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 6, 2017 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, we’re in a moment of extraordinary transition. And as you know, many of America’s allies around the world are watching to see what’s going to happen next. What do you think U.S. foreign policy is going to look like for the next four years? SECRETARY KERRY: I can’t speculate. I – honestly, I can’t speculate. I know what I hope it will look like. I hope it will continue to be...

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Regions: Iran , Korea, North , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC January 6, 2017 QUESTION: I want to start with Russia, and I know you said you have talked to your counterparts about the hacking. Did you say to them that you knew it went to the highest levels in the Russian Government? SECRETARY KERRY: In every way possible, the Russians were informed about our knowledge and displeasure about what was happening. QUESTION: Again, did they realize you knew that it was at the highest levels of th...

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Regions: Iran , Mexico , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Human Rights and Democracy, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Department of State Washington, DC January 6, 2017 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thanks for much for joining us. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. QUESTION: Donald Trump – does his disparagement of the U.S. Intelligence Community hurt the U.S. with allies and undermine the U.S. with adversaries? SECRETARY KERRY: Wolf, I don’t – honestly, I don’t want to get into the president-elect’s current back-and-forth. He has a meeting today. I presume hope...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Cabinet Exit Memo Washington, DC January 5, 2017     Introduction When President Obama took office in 2009, the United States was engaged in two costly wars, faced the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and had a diminished standing with many of our allies and partners around the world. The starting point for this Presidency was one of the toughest I have ever seen in my decades of public service. Over the past eight years, President Ob...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, Argentina, Canada , Chad , Chile, China, Cuba , France , India , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Italy , Korea, North , Libya , Nigeria , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Somalia , Sudan , Syria , Thailand , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Western Hemisphere, Yemen

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 5, 2017 SECRETARY KERRY: Hi, everybody. Matt, welcome back. QUESTION: Happy New Year. Thank you. SECRETARY KERRY: Congratulations, Matt. QUESTION: Thank you. Thank you very much. SECRETARY KERRY: A little Vaille. QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY KERRY: No sleep. QUESTION: Happy New Year, Mr. Secretary. QUESTION: What’s that? SECRETARY KERRY: What? QUESTION: Happy New Year, sir. SECRETARY KERRY: Happy New Year to everybody. Thank you all. Great ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, China, Colombia , Cuba , Egypt , France , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Korea, North , Libya , Nigeria , Norway , Russia , Sudan , Syria , Turkey , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 1, 2017 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate Haiti and its citizens on this day of national celebration as Haiti marks the 213th anniversary of its independence. Nearly one million people in the United States are of Haitian ancestry. Our shared pride in that heritage resulted this year in the designation of Little Haiti as an official neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The vibrancy of Little Hai...

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Regions: Haiti , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 1, 2017 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Sudan on 61 years of independence and send our best wishes for the year ahead. I share your hopes for a Sudan at peace with itself and its neighbors. It is my fervent wish that the coming year brings sustainable peace, reconciliation, and development to Sudan.

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Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 30, 2016 On behalf of President Barack Obama and the American people, I send warmest wishes to the people of Myanmar on the occasion of your independence day on January 4. The past year has been a historic one for Myanmar, as your first civilian-led, democratically-elected government in over half a century took office. The warm and close relationship between the United States and your country was symbolized by State Counsellor Aung Sa...

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Regions: United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 28, 2016 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you for joining us. This is a very important moment. SECRETARY KERRY: Happy to be here. Thank you. QUESTION: An unusual speech. First of all, Donald Trump, the president-elect, tweeted today, in part, that he was very much disagreeing with this policy. He tweeted, “We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with…total disdain and disrespect.” He went on to say that this will all ch...

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Regions: China, Egypt , France , Israel , Russia , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Dean Acheson Auditorium Washington, DC December 28, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Thank you. (Coughs.) Excuse me. Thank you for your patience, all of you. For those of you who celebrated Christmas, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy Chanukah. And to everybody here, I know it’s the middle of a holiday week. I understand. (Laughter.) But I wish you all a very, very productive and Happy New Year. Tod...

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Regions: Egypt , France , Iran , Israel , Jordan , Saudi Arabia , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 23, 2016 Today, the United States acted with one primary objective in mind: to preserve the possibility of the two state solution, which every U.S. administration for decades has agreed is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Two states is the only way to ensure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state, living in peace and security with its neighbors, and freedom and dignity f...

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Regions: Israel , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 22, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hello, everyone. Season’s greetings and a happy 70th birthday to the Foreign Press Center. You know, as I enter the final weeks of my tenure as Secretary of State, I wanted to congratulate the center and all of you for your hard work in reporting on the United States and world affairs. And obviously, both have been presenting extraordinary opportunities for major analysis and reporting this past year. I thought...

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Regions: Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 21, 2016 On behalf of President Barack Obama and the American people, I send warmest wishes and congratulations to His Imperial Majesty on the occasion of his birthday on December 23. In the more than quarter-century of Emperor Akihito’s reign, the ties between Japan and the United States have flourished, and our alliance serves as a symbol of stability, friendship, and mutual dedication to peaceful development in East Asia and ...

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Regions: Japan , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 19, 2016 The United States condemns the assassination today in Ankara of Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, the Russian people, and with the other victims who were injured in this shooting. We stand ready to offer assistance to Russia and Turkey as they investigate this despicable attack, which was also an assault on the right of all diplomats to safely and securely advance and represen...

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Regions: Russia , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 18, 2016 International Migrants Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the many ways that migrants enrich our cultures, economies, and societies. Like no other time in modern history, the world is on the move. In 2015, some 244 million people crossed national borders to seek jobs, join family, study, invest, and contribute to cutting-edge research. Migrants’ contributions to America are striking. More than 40 percent of our high-...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 18, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER AL-JUBEIR: (In Arabic.) SECRETARY KERRY: Assalamualaikum . Let me say how pleased I am to be back in Riyadh, and I’m particularly happy to be here with my friend the foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, and I want to thank him for his very warm welcome. We had as solid a discussion on a whole group of issues, as he has just shared with all of you, as we have ever had. And particularly I think the ...

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Regions: China, Iran , Iraq , Lebanon , Saudi Arabia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 16, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Kazakhstan as you celebrate your Independence Day and 25th anniversary of independence on this December 16. The United States was the first country in the world to recognize Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, so this December also marks 25 years of U.S.-Kazakhstani relations. Kazakhstan made a strategic decision 25 ye...

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Regions: Kazakhstan , United States

Topics: Energy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 15, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hello, everybody. I just wanted to bring you all up to date on what we’ve been trying to do with respect to the tragic situation in Syria, and obviously mostly focused or especially Aleppo. I don’t think I have to elaborate, but I’m going to certainly focus on the anger and the anguish that everybody feels – or most people feel – about the continued relentless and inexcusable attacks tha...

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Regions: Iran , Qatar , Russia , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 15, 2016 Ensuring the continued implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a top strategic objective for the United States and for our allies and partners around the world. The JCPOA makes our nation, and the entire world, safer by verifiably ensuring Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. This administration has made it clear that an extension of the Iran Sanctions Act is not necessary either to address activity outsi...

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Regions: Iran , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 13, 2016 I congratulate Rex Tillerson on his nomination as Secretary of State. The State Department will continue to provide our full support for a smooth transition, so that the incoming Administration can pursue the important work of U.S. foreign policy around the world.

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 13, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hi, good afternoon. AUDIENCE: Hi. SECRETARY KERRY: Aw, come on, you can do better than that. Hi. AUDIENCE: Hi. SECRETARY KERRY: All right, all right. Now everybody is getting excited again. Whoa, let me just make sure – here we go. So hello, everybody, and welcome. I am really happy to welcome you all here to the Ben Franklin Room of the State Department, and Happy Holidays to all of you. My wife Teresa is over...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iraq , Pakistan , Sudan , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 12, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I send our best wishes to the people of Kenya as you celebrate 53 years of independence on December 12. As you mark the establishment of Kenya as a Republic, let us also celebrate the strong partnership between our two nations. The United States will continue to support Kenya’s ongoing effort to build a prosperous and democratic society that allows all of Kenya&rsquo...

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Regions: Kenya , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 10, 2016 The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 68 years ago today to recognize and elevate the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all individuals. On this International Human Rights Day, we recommit ourselves to upholding universal respect for the fundamental freedoms of all humankind. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds the promise of hope for the civilians who are c...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Quai d'Orsay Paris, France December 10, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER AYRAULT: (Via interpreter, in progress) Yesterday at the UN General Assembly meeting, the resolution of – a resolution that was voted with (inaudible) full majority, and despite the use of chemical weapons by the regime, this is the logic of war that is still prevailing. This is why Sheikh Mohammed, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and myself wanted to call upon our close partners and to meet for...

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Regions: France , Germany , Iran , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Quai d'Orsay Paris, France December 10, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I’m heavier now. (Laughter.) Jean-Marc, merci beaucoup, merci mes amis . I am so grateful to all of you for coming here, to all of the Ayrault family who’ve attended and gave us a wonderful lunch today which we’ve enjoyed enormously (inaudible). To Madame la president of the COP that helped us so enormously to be able to pass the Paris Agreement, distinguished ambassadors, Your Exc...

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Regions: France , Germany , Iran , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 9, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the government and people of Burkina Faso on the 56th anniversary of your nation’s independence. We welcome the continued efforts of the government of Burkina Faso to further consolidate democracy and promote good governance. The United States remains committed to working with Burkina Faso to strengthen democratic institutions, advance regional peace an...

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Regions: Burkina Faso , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Embassy Paris Paris, France December 9, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much, and I trust this does not have to be scanned by security so I can actually – (laughter). Jane, thank you. This is tremendously meaningful. I’ve been going to the beaches of Normandy since I was a kid. I can actually remember seeing the burned-out hulks of some of the tanks and landing craft, et cetera. I was that young. It was not too ...

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Regions: China, France , Korea, North , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Hamburg, Germany December 8, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Friends and colleagues, we meet in Hamburg today to reaffirm the same idea that tied us together in Helsinki 41 years ago: that our collective security is directly linked to the growth of our economies and the protection of basic human rights. In our era as in the past, we advance the security and prosperity of our citizens when we advance the timeless principles that are at the heart of the OSCE – democratic ...

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Regions: Armenia , France , Germany , Moldova , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 8, 2016 I join all Americans in mourning the loss of my Senate colleague and good friend John Glenn – a steadfast voice of patriotism and one of our greatest Americans. John is one of the best and bravest men I’ve ever known. He went to war, went into space, and then he went to Washington where he served the people of Ohio in the Senate for more than two decades, always fighting for the principles he believed in. His decis...

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Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Hamburg, Germany December 7, 2016 QUESTION: Secretary Kerry, did you discuss Aleppo? Were there any agreements? SECRETARY KERRY: We obviously talked about the extraordinarily dire situation in Aleppo and we exchanged some ideas about it, and we intend to connect in the morning to see where we are on it. MR KIRBY: Thanks, everybody. Thank you.

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Regions: Germany

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon, everybody. I am pleased to be back in Brussels – obviously, a little bit bittersweet – to be here with my NATO colleagues for the last ministerial as Secretary of State, but I’m happy to be with my colleagues and pleased to be back in Brussels. There’s nothing nostalgic about our need to constantly reaffirm the importance of collective defense and democratic ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, Belgium , Egypt , Iran , Israel , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2016 QUESTION: Good morning, Secretary Kerry. What do you expect from this meeting today? SECRETARY KERRY: I hope a very constructive conversation about the importance of NATO and our commitment to many enterprises that we’re working on together, ranging from Afghanistan to counterterrorism to the operations in the Aegean with respect to migrants, the frontline state reassurance program. There’s an enormous amount on the age...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Belgium

Topics: Countering Terrorism

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Berlin, Germany December 5, 2016 MODERATOR: So my job is to introduce a man who needs no introduction. As I said in there, literally, the most consequential Secretary of State in my lifetime, which is longer than I think I would like to admit. (Laughter.) And when you just think about what this man has been able to accomplish, the impossible to the impossible to the impossible – whether it’s getting China to agree to carbon emission limits or putting tog...

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Regions: China, France , Germany , Greece , Iran , Israel , Italy , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 5, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I warmly congratulate Finland on the 99th anniversary of your independence on December 6. Our cooperation and friendship with Finland have never been stronger. In the last year, we accelerated our collaboration in bilateral and multilateral fora on defense, global security, human rights, and climate change. Our common democratic values and spirit have deepened our cooperati...

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Regions: Finland , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State German Ministry of Foreign Affairs Berlin, Germany December 5, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I’m going to wear that around the office for the next three weeks and see if I get any respect at all. (Laughter.) Guten Abend . Danke . Vielen dank . Thank you all for this really absolutely extraordinary and completely unexpected gathering. I’m so privileged and grateful for all of you coming here to share in this special moment, this friendship between Federal R...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, France , Germany , Greenland , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Italy , Kuwait , Russia , Switzerland , Syria , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Berlin, Germany December 5, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Wow. That sounds like a campaign introduction, folks. (Laughter.) I accept the nomination. (Laughter.) I’m ready to go. How are you all? Hey guys, I’m really happy to see you guys here. Thank you very much. How are you doing? You good? You having fun? How are you having fun? What are you doing to have fun? Come on up here and talk to me. Come here, come here, come here. Come here. I have a very talkative ...

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Regions: France , Germany , Iran , Italy , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 4, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I offer heartfelt warm wishes to the people of Thailand on the anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Aduyladej’s birthday, this December 5. We note with sadness the passing of King Bhumibol, who would have been 89 years old on this day. We remember His Majesty for the great vision and dedication with which he led Thailand, and for the enduring friendship he nurture...

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Regions: Thailand

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Willard Hotel Washington, DC December 4, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. That’s really wonderful. Thank you. MR INDYK: Haim is going to unveil a plaque that we made for you for the occasion. MR SABAN: I’m the unveiler-in-chief. (Laughter.) Okay, so I was told -- SECRETARY KERRY: Wow. MR SABAN: I was told to read. Who paid for this? Brookings or me? (Laughter.) It looks really expensive, doesn’t it? (Laughter.) But you know what? Ther...

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Regions: Egypt , France , Germany , Iran , Israel , Japan , Jordan , Kuwait , Libya , Pakistan , Philippines , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Taiwan , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank , Yemen

Topics: Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 3, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hello everyone. On behalf of the entire State Department, I am really pleased to join in recognizing the 25th annual International Day set aside to honor the one billion people around the world who have disabilities. Here in the United States, after many, many years of discrimination and delay, we have finally made substantial progress in ensuring that persons with disabilities are able to exercise their full rights. ...

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Regions: Armenia , Georgia , Kenya , Peru , United States

Topics: Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 3, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Hello, everybody. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Welcome. Welcome to the Ben Franklin Room of the State Department. Welcome to this very celebratory evening. It’s a special evening for all of us. Whether you come from afar or you live in Washington, tonight is special and it is wonderful for me to be able to be here hosting Saturday Night Live for the fourth time. (Laughte...

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Regions: Iran , United Kingdom , Vietnam

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 3, 2016 I congratulate the people of The Gambia for their peaceful and democratic presidential election on December 1. We also congratulate President-elect Adama Barrow on his historic victory, which will mark the first democratic transfer of power in the country, and we look forward to working with him as he helps to usher in a new era in The Gambia. I also commend President Jammeh for respecting the results and for agreeing to peace...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Parco dei Principi Hotel Rome, Italy December 2, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER GENTILONI: (Via interpreter) Good evening. Welcome to the Secretary of State and the Minister of Foreign Affair’s meeting. Thank you. Thank you to the Secretary of State John Kerry for having accepted to take part in this MED dialogues. I consider this a gesture of friendship, of consideration towards our country. I also thank him for the strategic type speech he made at the meet...

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Regions: Afghanistan, France , Iran , Iraq , Italy , Libya , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Parco dei Principi Hotel Rome, Italy December 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much, Paolo, and good evening. I would like to thank Foreign Minister Gentiloni, the president of the Italian Republic, the Instituto di Studi Internazionale for hosting this successful conference on the Mediterranean. (Inaudible) a special friendship. I am very grateful to you for the many courtesies that you have afforded me as Secretary of State, and it’s...

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Regions: Antarctica, China, France , Iran , Iraq , Italy , Libya , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Tunisia , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Rome, Italy December 2, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: We have exchanged a set of ideas which there will be a meeting on early next week in Geneva and we have to wait and see whether those ideas have any legs on them, but I will say that both sides understand the importance of trying to continue the diplomacy and trying to see if something can be done. And nobody’s waiting for the next administration. They both feel there is urgency. QUESTION: Is – these are low-...

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Regions: Italy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Central African Republic on the occasion of your country’s national day celebration. America values its friendship with the Central African Republic and applauds your commitment to peace and democracy. Together, we are working to end violence, heal internal divisions, and create a firm foundation for economic and social progress. In th...

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Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I extend my warmest wishes to President Bounnhang Vorachit and the people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic as you commemorate your National Day on December 2. This year marked another high point in our bilateral relationship, culminating in an historic visit by President Obama and the announcement of our Comprehensive Partnership. Together we have built a stron...

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Regions: Laos

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2016 The United States welcomes yesterday's vote by the Colombian congress - by a substantial margin - to approve the peace accord negotiated between the Colombian Government and the FARC, an accord that we believe will help achieve a just and lasting peace for all Colombians. Under the accord, the FARC will demobilize, disarm, and form a political organization that will participate in Colombia's democratic system. The Colo...

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Regions: Colombia , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC December 1, 2016 On World AIDS Day, we commemorate the lives lost and communities devastated by HIV/AIDS. We also celebrate those lives that have been saved and the courageous individuals who have brought hope and healing to those living with and affected by this disease. Thirty-five years ago, the first published report appeared of five previously healthy men in Los Angeles diagnosed with what soon would be known as AIDS. I have been engaged ...

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Topics: Global Health

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 30, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Barbados on your Independence Golden Jubilee. On this special day in this special year, my government joins with all of you in celebrating Barbados’ 50 years of independence and your beautiful country’s many accomplishments in democratic governance, environmental stewardship, and the creation of economic opportunity. The United ...

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Regions: Barbados , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Treaty Room Washington, DC November 30, 2016 (The memorandum was signed.) SECRETARY KERRY: My great pleasure to welcome the foreign minister of Egypt here today, and I think both of us would express our pleasure at signing this U.S.-Egypt cultural property agreement. This has been years in the making. It represents the first agreement in the Middle East or North Africa regarding the protection of antiquities. And it’s a real challenge on a global basis, so...

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Regions: Egypt , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Treaties and International Agreements

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 29, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I offer my sincerest congratulations to the people of Romania as you celebrate the 98th anniversary of your nation’s Unification Day on December 1. My government places a high value on its strategic partnership with Romania, a trusted NATO Ally and a major contributor to international peace, security, and the rule of law. Your country, like the United States, will ho...

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Regions: Romania

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The Ritz Carlton Washington, DC November 29, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much, Karen. “Under the weather” is a polite word for the crud. (Laughter.) Anyway, thank you, Karen, for a wonderful introduction. And it’s with great pride that I accept the nomination. (Laughter.) Shh. It’s a little dangerous right now. (Laughter.) I am suffering from a bunch of grandchildren, all of whom are sniveling at...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, China, Colombia , Cuba , Germany , Honduras , Iran , Japan , Korea, North , Lebanon , Libya , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 28, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am pleased to congratulate the people of Mauritania on the 56th anniversary of your nation’s independence. The United States values its partnership with your country and appreciates your government’s role in promoting regional peace and security. We look forward to our continued collaboration in expanding trade and investment, facilitating social progress, an...

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Regions: Mauritania , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 26, 2016 We extend our condolences to the Cuban people today as they mourn the passing of Fidel Castro. Over more than half a century, he played an outsized role in their lives, and he influenced the direction of regional, even global affairs. As our two countries continue to move forward on the process of normalization -- restoring the economic, diplomatic and cultural ties severed by a troubled past -- we do so in a spirit of friend...

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Regions: United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 25, 2016 On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the United States reaffirms our belief that gender-based violence is never acceptable, that women and girls have the right to live free from violence, and that countries are stronger when homes, neighborhoods, and communities are safe for everyone. Over the past year—indeed, throughout history—there have been far too many brutal acts of violen...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 25, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am pleased to congratulate the people of Albania as you celebrate the 104th anniversary of your nation’s independence on November 28. The United States and Albania enjoy a long history of friendship and cooperation. Your country is a growing force for regional and global security, and the United States deeply appreciates your contributions to the Global Coalition t...

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Regions: Albania , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 25, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of the Republic of Suriname as you celebrate the 41st anniversary of your nation’s independence on November 25. My country places a high value on its longstanding friendship with Suriname and on our joint efforts to promote prosperity, strengthen democratic institutions, safeguard the security of our citizens, improve health care...

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Regions: Suriname

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 20, 2016 I welcome public announcements by all sides to commit to a renewable Cessation of Hostilities that began on Saturday for an initial period of 48 hours. I call on all sides to adhere to these commitments, which would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and could help create the conditions for advancing the peace talks. As before, the United States stands ready to assist the Yemeni people and strongly supports the contin...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 20, 2016 On Transgender Day of Remembrance, the United States solemnly honors the memory of the many transgender individuals who lost their lives to senseless acts of violence. Transgender persons around the world are targeted by rising levels of violence fueled by hatred and bigotry. This is a global challenge and we all must do more to protect transgender persons on the basis of equality and dignity. In the United States, our Consti...

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Regions: United States

Topics: Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Grand National Theater Lima, Peru November 18, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Scott, thank you very much. My apologies to all on two counts: one for arriving, and then two for leaving almost as fast as I arrived. (Laughter.) But I received a call from the State Department; unfortunately, I needed to take it. But my apologies to all. Scott, thank you so much. Thanks for helping to lead this effort. I’m delighted to see that you are balancing the needs of customers with ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Peru , South Africa , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Energy, Global Women's Issues, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 17, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate Latvia on the 98 th anniversary of your independence on November 18. Latvia is a strong partner and ally of the United States. The strength of our relationship was underscored by Vice President Biden’s participation in the Baltic Summit hosted by Latvia in August. Together with the leaders of Estonia and Lithuania, we reaffirmed our friendship and stro...

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Regions: Estonia , Latvia , United States

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC November 17, 2016 On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the Monegasque citizens as you celebrate the Sovereign Prince’s Day on November 19. Please also accept our warmest felicitations on the tenth anniversary of full diplomatic relations between the United States and Monaco. Monaco is one of the world’s oldest sovereignties and has been a trusted friend to the United States for over 150 years. The Un...

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Regions: Monaco , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Lima, Peru November 17, 2016 QUESTION: How are your meetings going so far? SECRETARY KERRY: Very good. Excellent. QUESTION: Any concerns about protectionism in the United States after Trump’s election? SECRETARY KERRY: I haven’t heard a word of it yet. STAFF: Thank you, everyone. Thank you. SECRETARY KERRY: No, everybody is looking forward to building on a good, solid trade relationship and we had good discussions. QUESTION: Will the United States still ...

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Regions: Peru , United States

Topics: Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy