Informal Communication

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Washington, D.C.

Press Briefing Room

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good morning.  Good morning.

QUESTION:  Good morning.

QUESTION:  Well, barely morning.  (Laughter.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Speak for yourself, Matt.

Very good to see everyone here.  Actually, I kind of hoped more of you might be on vacation by now but – (laughter) – I see we have a pretty full house

Roles: Everyone: All Users

Regions: Afghanistan, China, Iran , Japan , Korea, North , Korea, South , Moldova , Niger , Romania , Russia , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

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

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Quito, Ecuador

Swissôtel Quito

MS CALDERON:  Before we start, I want to say hello to our colleagues in Guayaquil – hello, Guayaquil – and all the rest of the embassy community that are with us through Webex.  Okay.  So let’s start.

Now, please, let me introduce someone that not needs too much presentation, our big boss, Ambassador Fitzpatrick.  (Applause.)

AMBASSADOR FITZPATRICK:  Muchas gracias