U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

 

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U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin Εισερχόμενα U.S. Department of State <usstatebpa@public.govdelivery.com> 6:41 π.μ. (πριν από 3 ώρες) προς εγώ Αγγλικά Ελληνικά     Μετάφραση μηνύματος Απενεργοποίηση για: Αγγλικά Public Schedule – February 13, 2023 02/12/2023 You are subscribed to Public Schedule for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Public Schedule – February 13, 2023 02/12/2023 07:13 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson ***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***    SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN 2:00 p.m. Secretary Blinken chairs the Annual Meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the White House. (MEDIA DETERMINED BY THE WHITE HOUSE) 4:00 p.m. Secretary Blinken meets with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen at the Department of State. (CAMERA SPRAY AT TOP) This event will be livestreamed on www.state.gov and www.youtube.com/statedept. Preset time and final access for all press is at 3:15 p.m. from the 23rd Street entrance. 5:00 p.m. Secretary Blinken hosts a reception in support of Amy Pope, U.S. candidate for Director General of the International Organization for Migration, at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) DEPUTY SECRETARY WENDY R. SHERMAN 10:00 a.m. Deputy Secretary Sherman meets with Japanese Vice Minister Mori Takeo and Republic of Korea First Vice Minister Cho Hyundong at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) 2:00 p.m. Deputy Secretary Sherman holds a joint press availability with Japanese Vice Minister Mori Takeo and Republic of Korea First Vice Minister Cho Hyundong at the Department of State. (OPEN PRESS COVERAGE) The joint press availability will be livestreamed on www.YouTube.com/statedept. Preset time for video cameras is at 1:15 p.m. from the 23rd Street entrance. Final access for writers and still photographers is at 1:30 p.m. from the 23rd Street entrance. 7:00 p.m. Deputy Secretary Sherman meets with Japanese Vice Minister Mori Takeo, Republic of Korea First Vice Minister Cho Hyundong, and Secretary General of the European External Action Service Stefano Sannino in Washington, D.C. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES JOHN R. BASS 5:00 p.m. Acting Deputy Secretary Bass attends a reception in support of Amy Pope, U.S. candidate for Director General of the International Organization for Migration, at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS VICTORIA J. NULAND Under Secretary Nuland attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State. UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT JOSE W. FERNANDEZ Under Secretary Fernandez is on travel to Moldova and France from February 8-15, 2023. UNDER SECRETARY FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS UZRA ZEYA 5:00 p.m. Under Secretary Zeya attends a reception in support of Amy Pope, U.S. candidate for Director General of the International Organization for Migration at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS MOLLY PHEE Assistant Secretary Phee is on travel to South Africa, Nigeria, and Ethiopia from February 5-19, 2023. BRIEFING SCHEDULE 2:30 p.m. Department Press Briefing with Spokesperson Ned Price. (OPEN PRESS COVERAGE) The Department Press Briefing will be livestreamed on www.state.gov and www.youtube.com/statedept   Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Konakovic 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Europe and Eurasia for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Konakovic 02/13/2023 12:13 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with the new Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic and congratulated him on his new role. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Konakovic discussed the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration for stability and security in the Western Balkans, how to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and the need to rise above party politics to restore efficient, transparent, and accountable governance. The Secretary also underscored the importance of supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war and assistance for Türkiye and the people of Syria in the wake of the devastating earthquakes. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Konakovic 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Konakovic 02/13/2023 12:13 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with the new Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic and congratulated him on his new role. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Konakovic discussed the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration for stability and security in the Western Balkans, how to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and the need to rise above party politics to restore efficient, transparent, and accountable governance. The Secretary also underscored the importance of supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war and assistance for Türkiye and the people of Syria in the wake of the devastating earthquakes. Israeli Settlement and Outpost Legalization Announcement 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Israeli Settlement and Outpost Legalization Announcement 02/13/2023 02:45 PM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State We are deeply troubled by Israel’s decision yesterday to advance reportedly nearly 10,000 settlement units and to begin a process to retroactively legalize nine outposts in the West Bank that were previously illegal under Israeli law. Like previous administrations, Democratic and Republican, we strongly oppose such unilateral measures, which exacerbate tensions and undermine the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution. As I have previously stated, anything that takes us away from the vision of two states for two peoples is detrimental to Israel’s long-term security, its identity as a Jewish and democratic state, and to our vision of equal measures of security, freedom, prosperity, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We call on all parties to avoid additional actions that can further escalate tensions in the region and to take practical steps that can improve the well-being of the Palestinian people. Israeli Settlement and Outpost Legalization Announcement 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Israeli Settlement and Outpost Legalization Announcement 02/13/2023 02:45 PM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State We are deeply troubled by Israel’s decision yesterday to advance reportedly nearly 10,000 settlement units and to begin a process to retroactively legalize nine outposts in the West Bank that were previously illegal under Israeli law. Like previous administrations, Democratic and Republican, we strongly oppose such unilateral measures, which exacerbate tensions and undermine the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution. As I have previously stated, anything that takes us away from the vision of two states for two peoples is detrimental to Israel’s long-term security, its identity as a Jewish and democratic state, and to our vision of equal measures of security, freedom, prosperity, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We call on all parties to avoid additional actions that can further escalate tensions in the region and to take practical steps that can improve the well-being of the Palestinian people. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Kerry’s Travel to The Bahamas and Germany 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Europe and Eurasia for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Kerry’s Travel to The Bahamas and Germany 02/13/2023 04:39 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will travel to Nassau, The Bahamas, from February 14-16 and Munich, Germany from February 17-18. In Nassau, Secretary Kerry will continue efforts to advance international cooperation among nations particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis at the 44th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In Munich, he’ll participate in the Munich Security Conference to engage in discussions on the nexus between the climate crisis and global security. For media inquiries, please contact ClimateComms@state.gov. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Kerry’s Travel to The Bahamas and Germany 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Kerry’s Travel to The Bahamas and Germany 02/13/2023 04:39 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will travel to Nassau, The Bahamas, from February 14-16 and Munich, Germany from February 17-18. In Nassau, Secretary Kerry will continue efforts to advance international cooperation among nations particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis at the 44th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In Munich, he’ll participate in the Munich Security Conference to engage in discussions on the nexus between the climate crisis and global security. For media inquiries, please contact ClimateComms@state.gov. Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Chollet’s Travel to Bangladesh and Pakistan 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Chollet’s Travel to Bangladesh and Pakistan 02/13/2023 04:43 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Derek Chollet will lead a U.S. delegation to Bangladesh and Pakistan February 14-18 to meet with senior government officials, civil society members, and business leaders to highlight the importance of our bilateral partnership and reaffirm our countries’ shared goals. Counselor Chollet will be joined by Clinton White, Counselor of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Elizabeth Horst, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and, in Bangladesh only, Beth Van Schaack, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice. In Bangladesh, the delegation will meet with senior Bangladeshi officials to discuss coordination and response to the Rohingya refugee crisis, strengthening cooperation in international fora, and advancing the security partnership between the United States and Bangladesh. In Pakistan, the delegation will meet with senior officials to discuss strengthening economic ties, cooperating to address the impacts of the climate crisis, and expanding the people-to-people connections between the United States and Pakistan. The delegation will also reaffirm the strong security cooperation between our nations. Counselor Chollet will convey U.S. condolences for the recent terrorist attack at a Peshawar mosque, and reaffirm our solidarity with the Pakistani people as they continue to recover from the devastating 2022 floods. Joint Statement on the U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Meeting 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Joint Statement on the U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Meeting 02/13/2023 06:06 PM EST Wendy R. Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State Washington, DC The following is the joint statement released by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and the Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Republic of Korea following a trilateral meeting in Washington, D.C. Begin Text: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mori Takeo, and Republic of Korea (ROK) First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyundong met today in Washington, D.C. to deepen cooperation among the three countries on pressing global issues. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the trilateral partnership, grounded in their shared values and dedicated to their shared security and prosperity, as evidenced by their three vice-ministerial dialogues in the past year and numerous other coordination efforts. Today’s discussion also built upon the November 2022 leader-level Phnom Penh Statement on Trilateral Partnership for the Indo-Pacific as well as the September 2022 Joint Statement on the U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministerial. The Deputy Secretary and the Vice Ministers strongly condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) unlawful ballistic missile launches, which reached an unprecedented number in 2022, as well as a flurry of conventional military action and its threat of further destabilizing actions. They confirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and called on all UN member states to consistently implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They committed themselves to further strengthening and diversifying security cooperation to counter the threat the DPRK poses to regional and global security. The Deputy Secretary reiterated that the U.S. commitments to defend Japan and the ROK are ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to strengthen extended deterrence with Japan and the ROK. The Deputy Secretary and the Vice Ministers condemned the DPRK’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric regarding its nuclear program and called on the DPRK to immediately cease its irresponsible actions and to abide by its obligations under all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They called on the DPRK to return to the negotiating table and reiterated that the only path to peace and stability is through sustained dialogue. To this end, the Deputy Secretary and Vice Minister Mori expressed support for the goal of the ROK’s “Audacious Initiative.” The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in the DPRK and underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to improve the human rights situation in the DPRK, and in this context, the Vice Ministers welcomed the nomination of the U.S. Special Envoy on DPRK Human Rights Issues. They also committed to work together to achieve an immediate resolution to the abductions issue as well as the immediate release of ROK citizens detained in the DPRK. The three countries lauded the resounding success of the 2022 trilateral exercises on ballistic missile defense and anti-submarine warfare, which they committed to continue. They further committed to determining new areas for security cooperation and reaffirmed their intention to share DPRK missile warning data in real time as expressed by the Leaders in Phnom Penh. Noting the upcoming one-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers reaffirmed their determination to stand firmly with Ukraine and strongly condemned Russia’s ongoing attacks, which are killing civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. They stated unequivocally that Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable and that any use of a nuclear weapon by Russia in Ukraine would be an act of hostility against humanity and unjustifiable in any way. They committed to continue collaboration to impose strong sanctions against Russia and provide assistance for Ukraine, including rehabilitating Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and addressing Ukraine’s future economic needs. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers reaffirmed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, including in the Indo-Pacific. They reiterated their firm commitment to the rule of law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, consistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They emphasized that their basic positions on Taiwan remained unchanged and reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers reaffirmed the outcomes of the November 2022 leader-level Phnom Penh Statement and underscored their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive, resilient, and secure, is best achieved by leveraging each of their countries’ unique advantages and experiences in the region. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Minister Mori welcomed the announcement of the ROK’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and hoped it would facilitate trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Based on their firm support for ASEAN centrality and unity as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, the Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers committed to coordinate closely with ASEAN partners and within ASEAN-led regional architecture to address the full range of regional challenges, including climate change, digital connectivity, security, public health, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth. They committed to further enhancing cooperation for the development of the Mekong sub-region within the sub-regional cooperation frameworks including the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and the Mekong River Commission. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers reasserted their commitment to the Pacific Island countries and the importance of working in partnership with the Pacific Islands in a transparent and effective way guided by the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. They dedicated themselves to work together, including through the Partners in the Blue Pacific, and Deputy Secretary Sherman and Vice Minister Mori welcomed the ROK’s joining of the partnership and the ROK’s plan to hold the first Korea-Pacific Islands Summit this year. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Minister Cho also welcomed Japan’s cooperation with the Pacific Island countries on the forthcoming Ministerial Interim Meeting ahead of the tenth Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM10). The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening consultation among the three governments on economic security, including the dialogue the Leaders announced in Phnom Penh. They concurred on the urgent need to address economic security challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to stand up to economic coercion. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers further committed to use and strengthen existing platforms and leadership mechanisms to address pressing global challenges including the need to protect human rights, prevent democratic backsliding, ensure equitable and transparent economic growth, and advance global women’s economic empowerment. In that regard, the Deputy Secretary and Vice Minister Mori welcomed the ROK’s upcoming role as the regional co-host of the second Summit for Democracy. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers shared the importance of the deepening of a trilateral development policy coordination, including among USAID, JICA, and KOICA. They committed to promoting transparent and responsible development finance in cooperation with international financial institutions. The Deputy Secretary and First Vice Minister Cho commended Japan for hosting the upcoming G7 Ministerial Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. They also committed to cooperate on a cancer moonshot initiative and, as a first step, to hold a trilateral dialogue between their respective national cancer centers to explore research and treatment areas that can uniquely benefit from the expertise of the three countries. Throughout their discussions, the Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers underscored that U.S.-Japan-ROK cooperation is vital not only to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region but also to their shared global interests. The Deputy Secretary and Vice Ministers look forward to further strengthening the trilateral partnership at their next meeting in the ROK. End Text Deputy Secretary Wendy R. Sherman And Japanese Vice Minister Mori Takeo and Republic of Korea (ROK) First Vice Minister Cho Hyundong at a Joint Press Availability 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Deputy Secretary Wendy R. Sherman And Japanese Vice Minister Mori Takeo and Republic of Korea (ROK) First Vice Minister Cho Hyundong at a Joint Press Availability 02/13/2023 06:59 PM EST Wendy R. Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State Washington, D.C. Burns Auditorium DEPUTY SECRETARY SHERMAN:  Good afternoon, Vice Minister Mori, First Vice Minister Cho.  It is a private to host you for our first trilateral dialogue of 2023 and our fifth under the Biden‑Harris administration. Before diving into what we discussed this morning, I want to speak to the ongoing human and humanitarian disaster that continues to unfold in the aftermath of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria and the gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, unfathomable destruction left in its wake.  The death toll rises seemingly by the hour.  Homes are decimated, transportation is unusable, recovery efforts are ongoing, and the road ahead to rebuilding houses, businesses, cities, and the economy will be slow, winding, and long. In this moment the United States has joined our friends from the ROK, Japan, and around the world in sending search and rescue teams, specialized equipment, air support, tents, sanitation facilities, and anything we can to help.  We stand in solemn solidarity with the people of both nations, and together with our partners we are committed to providing the aid necessary to those impacted by this horrific natural earthquake devastation. Now, to the subject of today’s dialogue, a more optimistic story: the growth of our trilateral bonds.  We are coming off a truly remarkable year in this partnership, one that featured two leader summits, regular communication, and the first trilateral defense exercises since 2017.  Today’s dialogue built on that progress.  Our trilateral relationship remains strong and it is only getting stronger.  Our alliances are ironclad, and our bonds of friendship are critical to enhancing the security and prosperity of our citizens, the Indo-Pacific, and the world. Our cooperation touches some of the globe’s most urgent challenges.  These issues stood front and center in today’s discussions.  Together, we are advancing our shared affirmative vision for an Indo-Pacific that is free, open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure.  This region is home to half the world’s population and two-thirds of its economy.  It is dynamic and growing.  It is a leading priority for us all. One year ago the United States unveiled our Indo-Pacific Strategy, and in conjunction with the ROK, Japan, and regional partners, we are putting that plan into practice.  We are collaborating with Indo-Pacific countries on food security, energy affordability, humanitarian aid, and more.  We are deepening our coordination with ASEAN to tackle major challenges such as pandemic preparedness, digital connectivity, and climate, and we are using multilateral exercises to promote stability across the region. Throughout our meetings, our three governments reinforced the necessity of addressing the DPRK’s destabilizing behavior and achieving complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.  The DPRK continued to threaten the ROK, Japan, and its neighbors, and the world with the launch of an unprecedented number of ballistic missiles last year.  Standing united, our nations will deter the DPRK and urge it to give up its nuclear weapons program and abide by its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions.   We call for full implementation by the international community and encourage the DPRK to return to dialogue. Our talks also touched on the challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China and the need to answer them with unity at home and abroad.  Today’s dialogue reiterated our core message.  We will remain aligned with the ROK, Japan, other allies and partners worldwide to push back on the PRC behavior that challenges the rules-based regional and international order.  We will continue to counter the PRC’s destabilizing activities in South and East China Seas.  We will keep working for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.  Alongside the ROK and Japan, we will find areas where collaboration with the PRC is possible and in fact vital to international security, from climate and global health to narcotics, nonproliferation, and beyond. Moving outside our immediate region and this region that we were discussing in the Indo‑Pacific, our discussions included Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine and the ROK and Japan’s steadfast support, assistance, and cooperation in seeking to end the suffering endured by the Ukrainian people.  Our countries’ actions alongside partners across the globe are an unmistakable sign that we will stand firm against any attempts by any nation to change international borders by force.  We will hold Russia accountable.  We will stay united in defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and fundamental rights. Finally, our dialogue covered a wide range of issues that speak to the broad scope of our partnership.  On security, the United States is firmly committed to the defense of the ROK and Japan; to enhancing our cooperation with partners like Australia, India, and New Zealand; to deepening ties between Indo-Pacific nations and NATO.  On the broader region, we are engaged with ASEAN on law enforcement, transboundary challenges in the Mekong Subregion, renewable energy and health.  We had productive discussions about supporting Pacific Island countries as they deal with climate change mitigation and adaptation.  We are also coordinating with Japan and the ROK as partners in the Blue Pacific to tackle climate change; illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing; equitable access to infrastructure investment; and defense of the rules-based order. On human rights, our three countries are focused on promoting gender equity across the Indo-Pacific, responding to gender-based violence, increasing women’s economic participation and entrepreneurship.  As APEC host this year, we look forward to broadening this work with Japan and the ROK and others to bolster the international economic system and showcase the centrality of the APEC region to resilient, inclusive, broadly shared prosperity. So you can see by my long opening statement we covered a lot of ground today, yet there’s still so much to do to uphold our interests, values, and vision which we all share.  Together, I know we will. Thank you. VICE MINISTER MORI:  Well, it was my great pleasure to have this Japan-U.S.-ROK Vice Ministers meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Sherman and First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho.  For the first time in four months, I would like to thank Wendy and her staff for their warm hospitality. A free and open international order based on the rule of law is being seriously challenged, to begin with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which will mark one year on the 24th next week.  At the same time, the security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe.  Against these backdrops, coordination among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK is becoming increasingly important, not only in dealing with North Korea but also in maintaining peace and stability of the region and in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Our leaders reaffirmed at the trilateral summit last November in Cambodia the importance of forging still closer trilateral coordination in the security field and beyond.  Based upon our leaders’ commitment, three of us had a frank and strategic discussion today and renewed our resolve to further deepen our coordination.  On North Korea, we share the recognition that North Korea’s intensified nuclear and missile activities, including ballistic missile launches with an unprecedented frequency and in unprecedented manners, pose a clear and serious challenge to the international community. While North Korea has publicly stated its intention to further enhance its nuclear and missile programs this year, concerted efforts of the international community are critical.  Under these circumstances, we concurred on continuing close collaboration among our three countries in enhancing regional security deterrence, cooperation at the UN – including the Security Council, where Japan is now sitting as a nonpermanent member – and diplomatic engagement towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Regarding the abductions issue, I asked for continued understanding and cooperation of this issue and gained full support, again, from both U.S. and the ROK.  I would like to once again thank both of you for your support. On Ukraine, we shared our strong concern about the Russian missile and drone attacks that have resulted in civilian casualties as well as serious damage to the civil infrastructure.  In particular, Japan is seriously considered about the threat of nuclear weapons by Russia.  We concurred that Russia’s – such threat is absolutely unacceptable and Russia should never use nuclear weapons under any circumstances.  We also concurred that it is important to continue to strongly support Ukraine and to keep imposing severe sanctions against Russia.  Such a situation in Ukraine will be one of the most important issues at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, which Japan will be hosting in May. We also had a discussion on regional situation, including in the East and South China Seas, and shared the recognition that we must not accept any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force.  We also shared the view that it is important to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.  Furthermore, we discussed a wide range of challenges that the international community is facing, such as economic security.  We agreed to further deepen our trilateral cooperation in these areas. Based on today’s discussion, I look forward to continuing multilayered coordination among our three countries. And lastly, I would also like to express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the massive earthquake that occurred in Türkiye and Syria, and emphasize our determination to provide necessary support to the affected areas.  Japan is a country which has suffered from a number of natural disasters, including the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.  It’s doing its utmost to provide as much support as possible to those people who were affected by this earthquake. So far we have dispatched urban search and rescue team and medical team to Türkiye and also provided Türkiye and Syria with emergency relief goods.  I appreciate that the U.S. and the ROK are providing support as well. Thank you for attention. VICE MINISTER CHO:  Thank you.  Good afternoon.  It is a great pleasure to meet Deputy Secretary Sherman and Vice Minister Mori here in Washington, D.C.  I’d like to express my gratitude to Deputy Secretary Sherman and her team for arranging today’s meeting. Before my remarks on trilateral cooperation, I would first like to extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to all the affected by the devastating earthquake in both Türkiye and Syria.  All three of our government promptly dispatched teams to support rescue and recovery efforts and assist the victims of the earthquake, on top of the financial contribution we pledged individually.  We sincerely hope for a swift recovery from the aftermath of this tragedy. Over the past year, our three countries have strengthened our trilateral partnership to an unprecedented level, firmly rooted in shared values, including freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law.  Exactly three months ago, our leaders jointly announced the Phnom Penh Statement on Trilateral Partnership for the Indo-Pacific, which reaffirmed our commitment to trilateral partnership and broadened the reach of our trilateral cooperation to new terrain. Today, Deputy Secretary Sherman, Vice Minister Mori, and I explored ways to translate our leaders’ firm resolve into concrete outcomes. First of all, we committed ourselves to respond firmly to any North Korean provocation and work toward complete denuclearization of North Korea.  Indeed, peace without denuclearization is fake peace.  North Korea has launched a record number of missiles last year, and is yet threatening further ICBM and military satellite launches. In response to this threat, we will strengthen robust ROK-U.S. combined defense posture, and at the same time enhance our trilateral security cooperation with U.S. and Japan. We will cut off the revenue supporting North Korea’s WMD development.  Last Friday, the Korean Government introduced our first autonomous sanction on North Korea’s illicit cyber activities, which is one of its major revenue generators.  We will closely cooperate with the international community for full implementation of the UN sanctions. We reiterated that we are open to dialogue.  We urge North Korea to return to denuclearization talks.  We also expressed deep concern over the human rights situation in North Korea, and committed to stepping up effort to raise international awareness on this critical issue. We also underscored our joint commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.  I appreciate that Deputy Secretary Sherman and Vice Minister Mori welcomed the announcement of our Indo-Pacific Strategy.  We agreed to seek more concrete and tangible outcomes of our partnership based on the common aspect of our policies in the Indo-Pacific. In this vein, we concurred on the importance of deepening our trilateral coordination on development policy.  We will coordinate closely with ASEAN partners on a wide range of regional agenda, including climate change, digital connectivity, and public health.  We also committed to further enhancing cooperation for the development of the Mekong region and the Pacific Islands. Last but not least, our three countries will closely collaborate on responding to various challenges to the security of the region and the international community.  The infringement of other countries’ territorial sovereignty can never be tolerated, against which necessary measures can be taken in accordance with international law. We stand together as allies and partners.  We strongly condemn Russia’s ongoing attacks, which are killing civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.  We reiterated that it is crucial for the international community to keep a united stance and stand firmly with Ukraine. We committed ourselves to continued provision of assistance to Ukraine so that peace and stability can be restored as soon as possible.  In addition, we agreed on the urgent need to address economic security challenges, supply chain disruptions, and energy crisis.  We reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening strategic consultation amongst three countries, including the dialogue on economic security that our leaders announced in Phnom Penh last November. We also closely collaborate in international organizations, including the United Nations, to bolster the commitment of the international community to addressing global issues.  Today’s meeting were a true testament to our ever-growing partnership for the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific, and beyond.  I hope to maintain close communication with both of you, Deputy Secretary Sherman and Vice Minister Mori, and look forward to seeing you again in Korea for our next meeting.  Thank you. MR PATEL:  Thank you.  We will take one question from each delegation.  First is Shaun Tandon from AFP. QUESTION:  Thank you.  Thank you for doing this.  I wanted to follow up on the remarks that you made about the PRC.  Madam Deputy Secretary, the episode of the purported spy balloon, surveillance balloons – there have been a couple of shootdowns over the weekend.  I was wondering if you could shed any light on that, and more broadly, whether you see a continuing threat from surveillance balloons by the PRC. And also to Vice Minister Cho and Vice Minister Mori, the United States has said that 40 countries, roughly, have experienced overflights of surveillance balloons by the PRC.  Are your countries among them?  Do you perceive the threat in the same way? And just briefly to everyone, in terms of dialogue with the PRC, have you had contact recently either on this specifically or more broadly?  I know that Foreign Minister Hayashi will be going to Munich; Secretary Blinken, we’re expecting him as well.  Could you see meetings there with Wang Yi or others from China?  Thank you very much. DEPUTY SECRETARY SHERMAN:  Thank you, Shaun.  Shaun has just given us an example of how to ask three questions as one.  (Laughter.)  Don’t take his advice.  (Laughter.) So, Shaun, I would say to you that John Kirby just has spent more than a half an hour answering questions on the balloons, and so I would urge you to look at the transcript for the definitive word as of this afternoon on all of this.  In terms of the original balloon that was taken down last week, we are absolutely confident that this was a surveillance apparatus of the PRC and that it was over our territory, and we had every right to take that balloon down, as we did safely in territorial waters off of South Carolina so that we protected the American people, protected our own military sites in the way that we did so during its flyover of our country. As to the takedowns over this weekend, as you will hear from John Kirby, these were three objects that gave us concern because of their altitude that they were a potential risk to civilian aircraft, and we worked with the Canadians since at least one and the second may have fallen in the Canadian part of Lake Huron – to work with Canada and NORAD to address the risk that we saw.  The President has asked the National Security Advisor to put together an interagency team so that we can do a better assessment of where we are, what’s up there, how we should respond to them; has asked us to go out to partners and allies around the world and get a better understanding of what’s surrounding all of us in airspace.  But I would send you to that transcript for really the definitive word on all of this. On the issue of dialogue, as Secretary Blinken has said consistently, and as he has said to Wang Yi, as we have all said to the PRC, we are open to dialogue when it is in our interest to do so and we believe the conditions are right.  I know there’s been a report about a potential meeting in Munich, but I have nothing to announce today. VICE MINISTER MORI:  Well, concerning the surveillance balloon issue, and I first talk about the original surveillance balloon which was shot down on the 4th of February, I have to say that no country is allowed to infringe on the sovereignty of another country.  So we are aware that the U.S. Government explained that China had committed an unacceptable violation of its sovereignty and that the U.S. has responded carefully and legally in order to protect its own sovereignty and the safety of its citizens. I explained at the meeting today that Japan supports this position of the U.S.  We will keep in touch and we look forward to receiving more information about the balloon issues, and we will further communicate in order to have a more profound insight on this issue.  So right now, I do not have anything to add to this current status.  Thank you. VICE MINISTER CHO:  One briefly.  We have already made it clear that any infringement of other countries’ territorial sovereignty can never be tolerated, against which the necessary measures can be taken in accordance with international law.  That is our clear position on this issue.  And we also expect that there will be some opportunity for high-level dialogue with China and sit down together on this issue as well sometime in the future.  Thank you. MR PATEL:  Next we’ll go to Ayako Echigo with Jiji Press. QUESTION:  Hi.  Ayako Echigo from Jiji Press.  Thank you for this opportunity.  I have a question for Mrs. Sherman and another for Mr. Mori and Mr. Cho. To Secretary Sherman, can you describe the current level of communications your office is having with China (inaudible) of Secretary Blinken’s trip, and when do you expect high-level meeting to resume?  It’s been reported that Secretary Blinken considering meeting his counterpart in Munich, and can you confirm on that? And to Mr. Mori and Mr. Cho, what is your response to China this morning accusing the U.S. of illegally flying its own balloon over China?  Is there any support you can offer the U.S. to push back against state-level misinformation?  Thank you. DEPUTY SECRETARY SHERMAN:  So thank you very much.  As I said in response to Shaun’s question, Secretary Blinken in his conversation with Wang Yi said that because of the surveillance balloon over U.S. territory that – and the actions that we reserved the right to take, which we subsequently did – that conditions were not right for the wide-ranging dialogue that we had hoped to have with the PRC, but that we remained open to conversation, discussion, and rescheduling a trip to Beijing when conditions were appropriate. As far as Munich is concerned, I have nothing to announce today.  Obviously, there have been reports of the potential of such a meeting, but I have no announcements today. Before my colleagues answer your question, let me add a fact which is very important.  As John Kirby, the NSC spokesperson, just said, there are no U.S. Government balloons over the People’s Republic of China – none, zero, period. VICE MINISTER MORI:  Well, the position of the Government of Japan concerning the balloon issue in general, I have already explained.  And regarding the Chinese accusation about U.S. balloons over the territory of China, well, I have to say that, about American activities, Wendy has the right answer.  Thank you. VICE MINISTER CHO:  Well, as you just heard from Deputy Secretary Sherman, we, as an ally of the United State, we trust what just United State officially stated on this issue.  Thank you. MR PATEL:  And lastly, we’ll go to Min Seok Lee with Chosun Ilbo. QUESTION:  Thank you for the opportunity.  I’m Min Seok Lee from Chosun Ilbo.  My first question if for the Deputy Secretary Sherman and Vice Minister Mori.  There’s been a report recently published by Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Indo-Pacific Strategy.  It says, quote, “The U.S. and Japan should consider inviting Korea to join the U.S.-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee, EPCC, to meet in the 2+2+2 format to address specific economic security issues,” unquote.  Does the U.S. or Japanese Government consider that suggestion? The report also says South Korea could be invited to Quad+ dialogues on certain issues.  Does the U.S. or Japan consider South Korea should be invited more regularly to Quad+ to better counter Chinese threat?  Thank you. VICE MINISTER CHO:  (In Korean.) DEPUTY SECRETARY SHERMAN:  So on the issue of the Indo-Pacific report that was put out by Chairman Menendez just this last week, I think you are seeing today the trilateral cooperation amongst the United States, Japan, and the ROK.  This is happening in every domain that you can think of, and we have given you a long list in our joint statement of all of the areas and all of the ways in which we are working together.  We are always open to new formats and to new ways that will effectively bring about concrete results.  But what you are seeing here today is exactly what that Indo-Pacific report calls for.  We are doing it, we will always be open to new formats, and I don’t think you could find a stronger trilateral relationship than the one that we have. VICE MINISTER MORI:  Well, completely agree with Wendy, and in all the issues of the international society, including the free and open Indo-Pacific, we very much would like to cooperate with ROK.  We would like to restore and further advance sound bilateral relations based on the framework of friendly and cooperative bilateral relations that have been built since the normalization of diplomatic relations.  I will see First Vice Minister Cho this afternoon and hope that we will have further productive conversation.  Thank you. VICE MINISTER CHO:  All right, to me.  Let me answer your second question first, the comparison between the previous government and the Yoon Suk-yeol government on trilateral cooperation.  First of all, the number of vice ministerial meeting has increased significantly, from three meetings in five years in the previous government to three meetings in less than one year since the inauguration of Yoon Suk-yeol government.  Furthermore, the scope of cooperation agenda has been expanded from North Korea to encompass regional and global challenges, economic security, and traditional and non-traditional security cooperation, including cyber security and even space cooperation. It clearly demonstrate the trilateral cooperation has evolved into a core cooperation mechanism dedicated to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.  In addition, the ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral partnership will be a critical aspect of the – our Indo-Pacific Strategy that we announced last December. On your first question on North Korea, our three leaders already agreed on strengthening our trilateral cooperation in response to North Korea’s continued provocation, including the enhancing the real-time information sharing on North Korea’s missile data.  So we have discussed in details and we will continue to discuss this issue to explore the concrete ways to promote and enhance our cooperation to this end.  Thank you. MR PATEL:  Thank you.  Thank you, your Excellencies. U.S. Support for the Philippines in the South China Sea 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Support for the Philippines in the South China Sea 02/13/2023 07:48 PM EST Ned Price, Department Spokesperson The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard’s reported use of laser devices against the crew of a Philippine Coast Guard ship on February 6 in the South China Sea. The PRC’s conduct was provocative and unsafe, resulting in the temporary blindness of the crewmembers of the BRP Malapascua and interfering with the Philippines’ lawful operations in and around Second Thomas Shoal. More broadly, the PRC’s dangerous operational behavior directly threatens regional peace and stability, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law, and undermines the rules-based international order. As reflected in an international tribunal’s legally binding decision issued in July 2016, the People’s Republic of China has no lawful maritime claims to Second Thomas Shoal. The United States reiterates, pursuant to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and we call upon the PRC to abide by the ruling. The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. Meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons 02/13/2023 07:56 PM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Around the world, it is estimated that nearly 27.6 million people are victims of human trafficking.  The United States itself is not immune to this exploitation, which deprives individuals of dignity and full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.  The number of individuals at risk of trafficking continues to increase while too few victims and survivors are being identified and traffickers convicted. With these formidable challenges in mind, today I chaired the 2023 meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.  Task force agencies committed to taking significant steps throughout 2023 to advance progress to combat human trafficking, including to advance the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.  We also heard from a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, who challenged us to effectively incorporate survivors as equal stakeholders in our work. Looking forward, the State Department will do our part, by: Promoting meaningful survivor engagement and leadership through our support to the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and our engagement with consultants in the Department’s Human Trafficking Expert Consultant Network. For the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, consultants are drafting and reviewing content for the introduction in addition to advising on the inclusion of trauma-informed photography and ethical storytelling. Preventing and addressing human trafficking, including forced labor, through our own procurement in the global marketplace. There will be special emphasis on better equipping our acquisitions workforce with the knowledge and support they need, in addition to developing a new risk screening process to mitigate this danger from State Department contracts. Collaborating with Canada and Mexico through the Trilateral Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, which will resume this year. Working to prevent trafficking within the diplomatic community by providing important checks on the welfare of domestic workers employed by foreign mission and international organization personnel across the United States. Making new investments to build on the successes of U.S. anti-trafficking foreign assistance programs, including to combat forced child labor for domestic work and begging. During the meeting, I presented the 2022 Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons to two organizations: Mercy Medical Center’s Blue Dot Human Trafficking Initiative for its innovative and holistic approach to the care and wellbeing of victims of human trafficking, and Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc., for its tireless worker-led advocacy to advance a more just and humane migration process free of forced labor and other forms of exploitation.   These organizations inspire us all to take action to end trafficking in persons once and for all. Meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons 02/13/2023 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons 02/13/2023 07:56 PM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Around the world, it is estimated that nearly 27.6 million people are victims of human trafficking.  The United States itself is not immune to this exploitation, which deprives individuals of dignity and full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.  The number of individuals at risk of trafficking continues to increase while too few victims and survivors are being identified and traffickers convicted. With these formidable challenges in mind, today I chaired the 2023 meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.  Task force agencies committed to taking significant steps throughout 2023 to advance progress to combat human trafficking, including to advance the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.  We also heard from a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, who challenged us to effectively incorporate survivors as equal stakeholders in our work. Looking forward, the State Department will do our part, by: Promoting meaningful survivor engagement and leadership through our support to the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and our engagement with consultants in the Department’s Human Trafficking Expert Consultant Network. For the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, consultants are drafting and reviewing content for the introduction in addition to advising on the inclusion of trauma-informed photography and ethical storytelling. Preventing and addressing human trafficking, including forced labor, through our own procurement in the global marketplace. There will be special emphasis on better equipping our acquisitions workforce with the knowledge and support they need, in addition to developing a new risk screening process to mitigate this danger from State Department contracts. Collaborating with Canada and Mexico through the Trilateral Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, which will resume this year. Working to prevent trafficking within the diplomatic community by providing important checks on the welfare of domestic workers employed by foreign mission and international organization personnel across the United States. Making new investments to build on the successes of U.S. anti-trafficking foreign assistance programs, including to combat forced child labor for domestic work and begging. During the meeting, I presented the 2022 Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons to two organizations: Mercy Medical Center’s Blue Dot Human Trafficking Initiative for its innovative and holistic approach to the care and wellbeing of victims of human trafficking, and Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc., for its tireless worker-led advocacy to advance a more just and humane migration process free of forced labor and other forms of exploitation.   These organizations inspire ... [Περικομμένο μήνυμα]  Προβολή ολόκληρου του μηνύματος ΑπάντησηΠροώθηση

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