World Environment Day 2020 June 5 marks World Environment Day, reminding us that pollution knows no national boundaries; mercury is found in fish from the Gulf Coast to the Arctic, airborne particulates travel thousands of miles, and environmental impacts are felt by people across the globe, from Alaskan Native Villages to urban centers in Kenya …
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U.S. European Command Office of Defense Cooperation donates vehicles to Mtskheta and Dusheti municipalities (June 6) The U.S. European Command Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC), through the U.S. Department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance (HA) Program, donated several heavy duty vehicles to the Mtskheta and Dusheti Municipalities. Four units of heavy and light equipment (road grader, forklift, …
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“We train together – we fight together”. Joint Georgian and U.S. military preparation efforts and training before deploying (June 5) Did you know that before their deployment to Afghanistan, Georgian soldiers train with U.S. Marines for months in Georgia? Today approximately 600 Georgian soldiers and 50 U.S. Marines are beginning their culminating exercise before deployment. …
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Virtual Pacific Islands Dialogue on COVID-19 Assistance (June 4) The United States and Taiwan are enhancing our important cooperation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We want countries around the world to benefit from the generous contributions and impressive expertise that Taiwan—a vibrant democracy and a force for good—brings to the global community, and improve the health and welfare …
Read More» Joint Communique by Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Small Group (June 4) At the invitation of Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio and U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, the Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Small Group met virtually today to reaffirm our shared …
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Secretary Pompeo delivered opening remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS’s Small Group (June 4) Secretary Pompeo Shares Remarks during Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Today, Secretary Pompeo delivered opening remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS’s Small Group. Posted by U.S. Department of State on Thursday, June 4, 2020 SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Foreign Minister Di Maio. Luigi, …
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The U.S. fights Coronavirus worldwide (June 4) [rolling updates] Meet Rebecca! She said the coronavirus has come at a time when the drought was already affecting her family. Now life for them is even more difficult. Find out how @USAID is helping Rebecca & over 1.8 million other Zimbabweans cope during #COVID19 https://t.co/wuGsuiINjH — USAID (@USAID) June 3, 2020 A …
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Volunteers from Georgian community in the U.S., as well as the Georgian Embassy in Washington, prepare, deliver, and serve Georgian Supra for patient battling leukemia in Ohio (June 4) U.S. Embassy Tbilisi wishes to express its appreciation to members of the Georgian community in the United States, as well as the Georgian Embassy in Washington, …
Read More» Fulfilling the President’s Generous Commitment to Provide Critical Medical Supplies Across the Globe (June 4) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE The United States has been the largest contributor to global health security and humanitarian assistance for more than a half century, saving lives all over the planet. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have truly mobilized …
Read More» Readout from the Vice President’s Governors Briefing on COVID-19 Response & Recovery (June 3) Today, Vice President Mike Pence led a discussion with the chief executives of approximately 50 States, territories, and the city of Washington, DC, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force to update our Nation’s governors on local, State, and Federal …
Read More» Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Partners on COVID-19 (June 3) The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus: Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, and the Republic of Korea. Secretary Pompeo and his counterparts discussed the importance of continued close coordination in response to the …
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Iran’s regime spends billions to limit citizens’ internet access (June 3) Iran’s regime has spent at least $4.5 billion to build a domestic intranet that would further tighten restrictions on everyday Iranians’ internet access. The regime has long blocked thousands of web sites. Now the government is seeking greater control over content through a …
Read More» 31st Anniversary of Tiananmen Square (June 3) Today we honor the brave Chinese people whose peaceful calls for democracy, human rights, and a corruption-free society came to a violent end when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent the People’s Liberation Army into Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, armed with tanks and guns. While the Tiananmen …
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Executive Order on Advancing International Religious Freedom (June 2) By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. (a) Religious freedom, America’s first freedom, is a moral and national security imperative. Religious freedom for all people worldwide is …
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A historic first, NASA sends astronauts to space aboard private craft (June 1) NASA launched two U.S. astronauts aboard a spacecraft made by a private American company May 30. The craft successfully docked to the International Space Station on May 31. It was the first time in history that astronauts entered Earth’s orbit in …
Read More» Statement by the President (June 1) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. My fellow Americans: My first and highest duty as President is to defend our great country and the American people. I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation, and that is exactly what I will do. All Americans were …
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United We Strengthen Global Health Security (June 1) The United States is at the forefront of global health security, battling emerging health threats around the world and protecting vulnerable communities from infectious diseases.
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Celebrating Police Day (May 31) Police officers do a difficult job, often in hazardous circumstances. Most of these brave men and women face daily dangers and spend sleepless nights on duty to keep us all safe. In difficult times, we rest easy knowing they will always answer our call. Today we are joining Georgia in …
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U.S. Embassy congratulates Georgian Police in Celebrating Police Day (May 31) On May 27, Ambassador Degnan presented a certificate of appreciation to Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri to congratulate the Ministry on Police Day and demonstrate the respect and gratitude of the U.S. Embassy for the support and achievements of the Ministry and its …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump After Viewing SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 Launch (May 30) Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral, Florida 3:25 P.M. EDT Q Mr. President, what did you think?THE PRESIDENT: It’s incredible — the technology, the power. I’m so proud of the people at NASA — all the people that worked together, public and …
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USAID Supporting Georgia to Combat COVID, Build Resilience, and Prepare for Economic Recovery (May 29) By Peter Wiebler, USAID/Georgia Mission Director Over nearly 30 years, the United States and Georgia have built a partnership based on shared values, common strategic interests, and the mutual benefits of cooperation. The United States Agency for International Development …
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Iranian regime official authorized police to kill protesters (May 29) A senior Iranian regime official authorized lethal force against peaceful protesters during nationwide demonstrations last November, leading to the killing of many civilians, including children, U.S. officials said. On May 20, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announced sanctions against the Iranian regime’s …
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NASA names telescope for pioneering female astronomer (May 29) By Lauren Monsen NASA, the U.S. space agency, will name its next-generation space telescope in honor of Nancy Grace Roman. Roman (1925–2018) was the agency’s first chief astronomer and was dubbed the “Mother of the Hubble Space Telescope ” by her colleagues. She joined the agency in 1959 and created its …
Read More» UPDATE: The United States Continues to Lead the Global Response to COVID-19 (May 29) The United States continues to lead in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrated by recent announcements of new foreign assistance that are made possible through the American people’s generosity and the U.S. Government’s action. The American people have given more …
Read More» In Defense of Democracy in Venezuela (May 29) The United States reaffirms our commitment to Venezuela’s legitimate National Assembly and the 100 deputies across all party lines under interim President Guaido’s leadership, who daily face threats and intimidation by the illegitimate former Maduro regime. We strongly condemn the illegitimate former Maduro regime’s most recent …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (May 29) “President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign has constrained and countered Iran in unprecedented ways. We have deprived the clerical rulers of vast amounts of revenue. We have disrupted their financial networks and their sectarian networks. Because of our pressure, Iran’s leaders are facing a decision: either negotiate with …
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Lifting arms embargo on Iran will fuel regime’s terrorism (May 28) The United States will not allow a 13-year arms embargo on the Iranian regime to expire and, if necessary, will use authority under an existing U.N. resolution to keep the restrictions in place. In a May 13 op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, U.S. Special …
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U.S. collaborates with international community on COVID-19 (May 27) The U.S. is working as part of the international community to discover treatment options, share research and build partnerships to defeat COVID-19. The American private sector , academic institutions and government facilities are joining their allies and building unbreakable ties in their unified fight against the new coronavirus.
Read More» U.S. Embassy statement on continued ‘borderization’ activities along the ABL, as well as the disinformation campaign against the Lugar Center (May 27) As the world honors the anniversary of Georgian independence and celebrates Georgia’s success in combating COVID-19, the United States protests ongoing, provocative “borderization” by Russian-led security forces along the administrative boundary lines of …
Read More» Briefing With Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to Secretary Brian Hook And Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Dr. Christopher A. Ford on Keeping the World Safe from Iran’s Nuclear Program (May 27) MS ORTAGUS: Thank you so much, and thanks, everybody, for the second call of the day late in …
Read More» Keeping the World Safe from Iran’s Nuclear Program (May 27) Today, I am announcing the end of the sanctions waiver covering all remaining JCPOA-originating nuclear projects in Iran – the Arak reactor conversion, the provision of enriched uranium for the Tehran Research Reactor, and the export of Iran’s spent and scrap research reactor fuel. …
Read More» Freedom Online Coalition Statement on COVID-19 and Internet Freedom (May 27) The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is a group of 31 countries deeply committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). We believe that the human rights and fundamental freedoms that individuals …
Read More» Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS’s Small Group (May 27) U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo looks forward to co-hosting, with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, a virtual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS on June 4 to review next steps in the …
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Hon. Paul Packer, Chairman of the United States Commission For the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad congratulates Georgians on Independence Day (May 26) Greetings from New York. I am Paul Packer, Chairman of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. Scripture tells us to love the stranger, for once we …
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Source: Embassy of Georgia in US
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Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan offers heartfelt congratulations to the people of Georgia on the 102nd anniversary of Georgian Independence (May 26) On behalf of the United States Embassy, I am pleased today to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Georgia on your Independence Day. Georgia and the United States share a …
Read More» Georgia National Day (May 26) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Georgia as you celebrate your Independence Day. The United States and Georgia have a strong strategic partnership built upon shared values and a deep love of freedom, independence, and unity. The United States remains …
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What Memorial Day means to Americans (May 25) Memorial Day honors America’s military men and women who lost their lives in service to their country. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May, a time of year when weather is turning warmer and schools and universities are adjourning for summer break. To …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (May 22) “Our maximum pressure campaign also entails demanding that the regime in Tehran treat its own people with respect and dignity. Today, the United States announces that it is imposing sanctions on 12 Iranian individuals and entities under human rights authorities.” -Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Podium Briefing, …
Read More» U.S. Participates in the International Donors Conference in Solidarity with the Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants (May 22) Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Carol Thompson O’Connell will lead the U.S. delegation to the May 26 International Donors Conference in Solidarity with the Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants, …
Read More» Iran’s Assassinations and Terrorist Activity Abroad (May 22) “The Iranian regime also continues to export cruelty outside its own borders. Last week, an Iranian dissident, Massoud Molavi, was assassinated in Istanbul after he defected to Turkey from Iran. The killing of Mr. Molavi is yet another tragic example in a long string of suspected …
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U.S. leads world in intellectual property protection (May 21) The United States, the world’s largest economy, sets the standard for protecting inventors, creators and entrepreneurs, ranking first in a global intellectual property index. That is the conclusion of the 2020 International Intellectual Property Index , released by the Global Innovation Policy Center, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber …
Read More» Briefing With Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Tibor Nagy on U.S. Support for Combating COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa (May 21) MR BROWN: Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this on-the-record briefing with our Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Tibor Nagy, who has one of the very best names in the …
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U.S. faith-based groups fight COVID-19 worldwide (May 20) U.S. donors of all major religions are helping fight COVID-19 at home and abroad. The United States’ diverse religious communities are setting up emergency hospitals, trucking meals across the country, and supporting small businesses around the world. In early April, faith-based humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse set up an emergency field hospital …
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Iran struggles with economy broken by regime failures (May 20) The Iranian regime is struggling to avoid economic disaster after the regime’s years of economic mismanagement and terrorist financing. More than 7 million Iranians have lost their jobs or been furloughed during the COVID-19 crisis, regime spokesman Ali Rabiei recently acknowledged, according to Voice …
Read More» Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan’s opening remarks during her virtual press conference (May 20) Gamarjoba, and thank you for joining us today for this virtual press conference. I’m pleased to speak to you after my first 3 months in Georgia about the relationship between our two countries and the assistance the United States is providing, especially …
Read More» The United States Designates Company Providing Services for Iranian Airline Mahan Air’s Operations in China (May 19) The People’s Republic of China is one of the rapidly dwindling number of countries that welcomes Mahan Air, which ferries weapons and terrorists around the world for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Such cooperation has consequences. Today, …
Read More» UPDATE: The United States Continues to Lead the Global Response to COVID-19 (May 19) Through the American people’s generosity and the U.S. Government’s action, the United States continues to demonstrate global leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American people have given more than $10 billion that will benefit the global COVID-19 …
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How to prevent another failure of democracy in Venezuela (May 18) It’s been two years since the illegitimate election of Nicolás Maduro, during which time Venezuela has plunged into even greater turmoil and suffering. Within five days of the May 20, 2018, election, 46 countries declared the results illegitimate, according to the Electoral Integrity Project . The …
Read More» Media Advisory – Ambassador Degnan’s Virtual Press Conference EVENT: U.S. Embassy Tbilisi is pleased to invite you to a live, virtual press conference primarily focused on U.S. response to COVID-19 in Georgia, with Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 20 from 14:00-15:00. It will begin promptly at 1400 with …
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This month the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) delivered nearly $500,000 in personal protective equipment to the Georgian Border Police, Emergency Management Services, State Laboratory of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Internal Affairs. This equipment included goggles, safety shields, disinfection spray, respirator units, infrared thermometers, and coverall suits. This assistance will help …
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U.S. scientists collaborate in worldwide search for COVID-19 cure (May 18) U.S. researchers are joining forces with scientists around the world to find solutions that will end the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration ranges from experiments to adapt a measles vaccine to prevent COVID-19 to efforts to understand how the human immune system’s antibodies attack …
Read More» Joint Statement by the Facilitators of the Political Dialogue (May 15) We welcome today’s decision by the President of Georgia to use her constitutional powers in the interest of political de-polarisation and creating a political environment more conducive to a free, fair and transparent electoral process. We, as facilitators of the political dialogue, consider …
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U.S. researchers map COVID-19 cases to predict future needs (May 15) Researchers from the University of Virginia’s Biocomplexity Institute have won a $10 million, five-year computing grant from the U.S. government’s National Science Foundation in order to map cases of the new coronavirus and anticipate how communities will be affected. The institute’s researchers develop technologies …
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U.S. cracks down on COVID-19 scams (May 15) Let’s be clear: There is no vaccine yet to prevent COVID-19. But there are swindlers around the world trying to cash in on COVID-19 fears with bogus prophylactics and cures. They steal money from their victims and spread misinformation, says Christopher Combs, special agent in charge …
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U.S. Embassy donates Test Kits and Personal Protection Equipment to the Ministry of Health of Georgia (May 15) Today Ambassador Degnan joined Minister Tikaradze in welcoming the arrival of high caliber testing equipment and materials to conduct 4,000 gold-standard RT-PCR tests, as well as almost $20,000 in personal protective equipment, donated by the U.S. …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump on Vaccine Development (May 15) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you very much. It’s very hot today. Please, sit down. This is going to be a very hot one, and we apologize to everybody out there that’s going to suffer through it. But you know what? It’s better …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (May 15) “The Iranian people too know that the resources, the money being squandered, the loss of life that’s taking place – Iranian life – that’s taking place inside of Syria is not a good use of funds, especially at a time when Iran’s economy is suffering from low …
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Handover of Field Hospital Tents to the Emergency Management Service of Georgia (May 15) Today, May 14th, the Disaster Risk Reduction Center of the Association Rural Development for Future Georgia (RDFG), supported by the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Zrda activity, provided medical tents to the Emergency Management Service to support Georgia’s response …
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Ambassador Kelly Degnan’s virtual reunion with WiSci participants (May 14) On May 14, Ambassador Degnan kicked off the first virtual Women in Science (WiSci) alumni reunion bringing together students from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States. The U.S. Embassy has proudly supported Georgian high school girls’ engagement in the international STEM summer camp for …
Read More» 5 Ways DOS Works to Protect your Health (May 14)
Read More» United States Publishes a Global Maritime Advisory to Counter Sanctions Evasion by Iran, North Korea, and Syria (May 14) The U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the U.S. Coast Guard issued a global advisory to alert the maritime industry, and those active in …
Read More» The United States Condemns Attempts by PRC-Affiliated Actors to Steal American COVID-19 Research (May 14) The United States condemns attempts by cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to steal U.S. intellectual property and data related to COVID-19 research, as announced in a May 13, 2020 warning by the Federal Bureau of Investigation …
Read More» Briefing With Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback On COVID-19 Impact on Religious Minorities (May 14) MS ORTAGUS: Thank you very much and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us for this on-the-record briefing to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on religious minorities throughout the world. Just a reminder that this call is …
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Scholars from U.S. exchange program fight COVID-19 (May 13) Scholars around the world who have been part of the State Department’s Fulbright Program are using their experience to help their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fulbright Program, in partnership with more than 160 countries, gives students, scholars, teachers, artists and scientists of all backgrounds the opportunity to …
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Iranian regime’s history of provocations continues (May 13) The Iranian regime’s seizure of a Hong Kong-flagged tanker and harassment of U.S. forces in April are the latest in its pattern of violence. Over the past year, the regime or its proxies have downed a U.S. drone, attacked oil fields in Saudi Arabia and shelled …
Read More» Countries Certified as Not Cooperating Fully With U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts (May 13) Yesterday, the Department of State notified Congress that Iran, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and Cuba were certified under Section 40A(a) of the Arms Export Control Act as “not cooperating fully” with U.S. counterterrorism efforts in 2019. This is the first year that …
Read More» Indo-Pacific Cooperation on COVID-19 (May 12) As President Trump has said, the United States is working with our friends and partners around the world to coordinate our efforts on stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States values our cooperation with allies and partners in combatting the pandemic and in planning for …
Read More» Transatlantic Cooperation on COVID-19 (May 12) As President Trump has said, the United States is working with our friends and partners around the world to coordinate our efforts on stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States values our cooperation with allies and partners in combatting the pandemic and in planning for …
Read More» North American Cooperation on COVID-19 (May 12) As President Trump has said, the United States is working with our friends and partners around the world to coordinate our efforts on stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States values our cooperation with allies and partners in combatting the pandemic and in planning …
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U.S. company uses drones to deliver COVID-19 tests in Ghana (May 12) An American company based in California is using drones to transport COVID-19 tests between rural Ghana and two of the country’s main cities. Zipline International Inc. is one example of the many private U.S. companies that are stepping forward to address the coronavirus crisis internationally. …
Read More» U.S. businesses support COVID-19 response (May 12) American businesses, both large and small , are rapidly shifting their production lines to respond to demands for products that help combat the new coronavirus. Watch this video to learn more about how American workers are helping medical personnel and citizens stay protected against COVID-19.
Read More» Condemning Heinous Terrorist Attacks in Afghanistan Today (May 12) The United States condemns in the strongest terms the two horrific terrorist attacks in Afghanistan today. In an unconscionable assault, gunmen seized one of Kabul’s busiest hospitals, which housed a maternity ward run by Doctors Without Borders. In the hospital, the terrorists took the lives …
Read More» The United States Has Built the World’s Leading Coronavirus Testing System (May 11) We built the most advanced and robust testing anywhere in the world, and we’ve done more testing than any country anywhere in the world. President Donald J. Trump PROVIDING TESTING RESOURCES: President Donald J. Trump is working tirelessly to ensure that …
Read More» Secretary Pompeo Speech Clip – America’s Commitment to Leading Global Health (May 11)
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Iranian regime profits from Maduro’s stolen gold (May 11) Mahan Air, Iran’s largest commercial airline, has been flying to Venezuela and leaving with tons of gold bars that the Maduro regime has stolen from the Venezuelan people, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said. “These flights must stop, and countries should do their part to …
Read More» Joint Statement by the Facilitators of the Political Dialogue (May 11) The March 8 agreement was a historic achievement by the political forces of Georgia, intended to depolarize Georgia’s political system and create a better environment for the October parliamentary elections following the failure of promised constitutional amendments to move to fully proportional parliamentary elections …
Read More» Leading the World Against Iran’s Threats (May 9) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE Two years ago, President Trump announced the bold decision to protect the world from Iran’s violence and the nuclear threats it poses by exiting from the flawed Iran Deal and its façade of security. Since that time, we have built the strongest sanctions in history and prevented …
Read More» Message from Ambassador Kelly Degnan – New U.S. Support for Georgia’s Response to COVID-19 (May 8) Welcome to my home. I’m teleworking today to comply with the guidance from Georgia’s public health experts to maintain social distancing. It is encouraging news that Georgia is gradually able to open some businesses. I know we are all …
Read More» Presidential Message on the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (May 8) Seventy-five years ago today, the last remnants of the Nazi regime unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Powers, marking the end of World War II in Europe. Today, we celebrate the forces of freedom who defeated tyranny and emerged victorious in that monumental …
Read More» Message on the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day) (May 8) Today we mark 75 years since the end of hostilities in Europe in the Second World War. We pay tribute today to all those who stood up for humanity and freedom in the face of tyranny, and we honor the sacrifices …
Read More» Briefing With Special Envoy Lea Gabrielle, Global Engagement Center Update on PRC Efforts to Push Disinformation and Propaganda around COVID (May 8) MS ORTAGUS: Thank you very much. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us early on this on-the-record briefing, which is embargoed, please, until the end of the call. This is an update …
Read More» Briefing With Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper on the Political-Military Affairs Bureau’s Support for Global COVID Relief Efforts (May 8) MS ORTAGUS: Thank you and hello again, everybody. Good morning for the second time. I’m sorry that we’re loading you up on this Friday, but lots of, lots of news today. …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (May 8) “They’re telling the world that they’re broke and they need relief from American sanctions, they need humanitarian assistance. But we’ve offered humanitarian assistance, and the ayatollah and the kleptocrats, the theocrats that lead the Iranian regime today are still out spending money on things that don’t benefit …
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U.S. sends coronavirus aid to Central and South America (May 8) The U.S. government is providing millions of dollars as well as training and supplies to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to Central and South American countries, with a total of more than $73 million provided to the Western Hemisphere in response to the …
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Amid COVID-19, reporters still face persecution in China, Iran, and Venezuela (May 8) Countries that were ranked low in the latest World Press Freedom Index were also among the most likely to suppress reporting about COVID-19. The index is compiled annually by Reporters Without Borders, an international nongovernmental organization that monitors media freedom around the world. It was …
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The American Red Cross helps those who suffer (May 8) Exhausted in 1869 after nursing U.S. soldiers in the U.S. Civil War, Clara Barton followed her doctor’s advice and embarked on an extensive European vacation. But the nurse couldn’t stay away from helping people. A year into her vacation, Barton volunteered with the Switzerland-based International Committee of the Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian …
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How Americans observed V-E Day during World War II (May 8) Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, when the Allied countries of World War II accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany, was celebrated as a festive holiday in many parts of the world. The occasion sparked unbridled, emotional public celebrations on May 8, 1945, in …
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The U.S. Department of Justice provides online workshops for Georgia’s criminal court judges (May 7) The United States continues to actively support Georgia’s judicial reform and development amid pandemic. We are pleased to announce that the exchange of best practices and training for Georgian criminal judges is actively being conducted, most recently through a series …
Read More» Briefing on Russian Engagement in the Middle East (May 7) JAMES F. JEFFREY, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SYRIA ENGAGEMENT AND SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE GLOBAL COALITION TO DEFEAT ISIS HENRY WOOSTER, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE MAGHREB AND EGYPT BUREAU OF NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY BUREAU OF EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS MS ORTAGUS: Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Good to be on with everybody this Thursday afternoon. …
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Delivering trustworthy health data on COVID-19 (May 7) When Americans look for data on COVID-19, the U.S. public health system delivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gathers data, monitors shifts in disease patterns, and provides safety guidelines to prevent infection. Its experts also collaborate with overseas colleagues to track new cases. “Accurate collection of data …
Read More» Joint Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War (May 7) The following is a joint statement by the U. S. Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Begin text: Marking the 75th anniversary of the …
Read More» Brock Bierman discusses much needed COVID-19 response assistance from USAID to Georgia (May 6) USAID Assistant Administrator Brock Bierman spoke to TV Imedi this week about what USAID is doing to help Georgia better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are committed to helping the people of Georgia respond to COVID-19. The United States …
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U.S. helps Pacific island countries fight COVID-19 (May 6) The United States is providing nearly $40 million to help Pacific Island nations prevent and control COVID-19. “I’m especially proud of the work that we’ve done in the Indo-Pacific region ,” Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said April 29 while discussing the U.S. COVID-19 global response . In the Pacific islands, the U.S. funding will help pay for improvements in lab preparation, infection control, and …
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How USAID helps mothers around the world (May 6) For women around the world, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery can be life-threatening. To mitigate these risks to mothers, the U.S. Agency for International Development will increase funding for maternal and child health care in high-risk areas of selected countries through its MOMENTUM initiative. “In the …
Read More» Joint Statement on United States – Czech Republic Joint Declaration on 5G Security (May 6) Taking into account that secure fifth generation wireless communications networks (5G) will be vital to both future prosperity and national security, the United States and the Czech Republic declare their desire to strengthen our cooperation on 5G. 5G will …
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Inspired by American broadcasters, Georgian regional media comes together with a message of solidarity (May 5) The U.S. Embassy is proud to see 15 Georgian regional broadcasters putting competition aside to record a powerful message of solidarity. In a promotional video inspired by American broadcasters, including our Georgian Media Partnership Program (GMPP) participant NCB12, …
Read More» Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, Bureau of Medical Services, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (May 5) MR BROWN: Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to what is our last scheduled on-the-record briefing …
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Remarks by Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger to the Miller Center at the University of Virginia (May 4) The following is the English language version of a speech that was delivered by Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger in Mandarin Chinese. Click here for Mandarin version. Good morning everyone. I’m Matt Pottinger, the Deputy National Security Advisor, …
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U.S. helps counter COVID-19 outbreaks in Middle East and North Africa (May 4) The United States is providing more than $110 million to help countries in the Middle East and North Africa fight COVID-19, including Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, as well as the West Bank. The funding will improve disease detection and …
Read More» The U.S. Is Leading the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Developing a Vaccine (May 4) As outlined in its recent Action Plan, the United States is bringing together the brightest minds in U.S. government agencies, the private sector, universities, and overseas partners to develop vaccines and therapeutic interventions to protect the world from …
Read More» Briefing With Senior Administration Official and Senior State Department Official On U.S. Global Leadership in the International COVID-19 Response (May 4) SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The United States and President Trump are leading the global effort to combat this pandemic. The United States is the single-largest health and humanitarian donor in the world, and the …
Read More» World Press Freedom Day (May 2) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE On World Press Freedom Day, recognized around the world on May 3, we highlight the critical role of independent media in facilitating the open exchange of information and ideas so vital to free, prosperous, and secure democratic societies. This year, as the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, it is …
Read More» Update: The United States is Continuing to Lead the Response to COVID-19 (May 1) Through the American people’s generosity and the U.S. government’s action, the United States continues to demonstrate global leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Months into fighting this pandemic at home and abroad, the United States remains the largest …
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Ambassador Degnan Makes First Visit to Administrative Boundary Line, Near Odzisi (April 30) Today, Ambassador Degnan made her first trip to the Administrative Boundary Line, near Odzisi. In comments to the media during the visit, the Ambassador denounced recent borderization activities, “especially in the time of COVID when we need to be working together to …
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U.S. Embassy Tbilisi Donates 7,500 Locally-Made Disposable Medical Gowns to Ministry of IDPs (April 30) Today the US Embassy, with assistance from the Georgian Defense Forces, handed over 7500 locally-made disposable medical gowns to the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. The US support to the Georgian government is a …
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Ambassador’s comments at Administrative Boundary Line, near Odzisi (April 30) Question about the visit Ambassador Kelly Degnan: This is my first opportunity to come up to the occupation line and I really appreciate the chance to see this very important region of Georgia. I have to say, seeing it myself, I see more the tragedy of …
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U.S. survivors of COVID-19 donate plasma (April 30) In March, when Diana Berrent became one of the first people in Port Washington, New York, to test positive for COVID-19, she wondered if she would become one of the first American survivors. The hope that she would make it and that her antibodies could potentially save …
Read More» Briefing With Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to Secretary Brian Hook On Depriving Iran of the Weapons of War (April 30) MS ORTAGUS: Thank you. Happy Thursday afternoon, everybody. We will have an on-the-record briefing today. Per usual, this is embargoed until the end of the call, please. As Secretary Pompeo indicated yesterday, …
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Want democracy? Keep the press free and active (April 29) A strong democracy encourages a free press — one that keeps the public informed, enables a diversity of voices, and holds leaders accountable. There’s so much news around us — on the internet, television and radio and in newspapers — it’s easy to forget …
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Temporary Delay of the opening of the Entrant Status Check for DV-2021 Applicants (April 29) UPDATE: The Department is temporarily delaying the opening of the Entrant Status Check for DV-2021 applicants from May 5 to June 6, 2020. This change is because of our committed response to COVID-19, and will not negatively impact the …
Read More» Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, Bureau of Medical Services; and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19 Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (April 28) MS ORTAGUS: Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. Great to talk to you today. So it …
Read More» Terrorist Attack in Afrin, Syria (April 28) The United States condemns the act of terror carried out today in Afrin, Syria, claiming the lives of dozens of people shopping in the central market as they prepared to break the Ramadan fast. Initial reports indicate many victims were civilians, including children. Such cowardly acts of evil …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (April 27) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you. We continue to see evidence that our aggressive strategy is working and working at a very high level. Nationwide, the percent of tests that come back …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump in a Meeting with Industry Executives on COVID-19 Response (April 27) THE PRESIDENT: Okay, thank you very much. And I’m honored to be joined by representatives of many great American retail companies, some of the greatest companies anywhere in the world. And we’re talking today about different things, and — …
Read More» Joint Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Special ASEAN-United States Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (April 26) The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Lao PDR as the co-Chairs of the the Special ASEAN-United States Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Coronavirus …
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Georgian Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seize 40 Kilograms of Heroin in Batumi (April 26) On April 26, 2020, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tbilisi Country Office counterparts at the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs Central Criminal Police Department (CCPD) conducted a search and arrest warrant at a residence in …
Read More» Iran’s Space Program is Dangerous, Not Peaceful (April 25) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE For years, Iran has claimed its space program is purely peaceful and civilian. The Trump Administration has never believed this fiction. This week’s launch of a military satellite by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, makes clear what we have said all along: Iran’s space program is …
Read More» USAID Statement on Development Agreement Amendments (April 24) During these difficult times, we reaffirm our support for the Georgian people. This week, Georgia’s Parliament ratified amendments to our Development Assistance Agreements with the Government of Georgia. This allows USAID/Georgia to move forward with more than $64 million in funding to strengthen Georgia’s self-reliance and Euro-Atlantic …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (April 24) “If Iran needed aid on this, I would be willing to do something…they were hit very hard. Obviously, those numbers weren’t correct numbers that they reported. But if they needed help, if they needed aid, if they needed ventilators — we have thousands of ventilators currently on …
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The U.S. Government’s ACCESS program provides English classes to underserved students across Georgia (April 23) On English Language Day we would like to highlight the incredible work that English ACCESS Micro-scholarship program does in Georgia. The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi has been strengthening English Language learning in Georgia through a number of programs, including the …
Read More» CTR-trained scientists develop diagnostic testing capability for COVID-19 (April 23) Georgia: Scientists trained through the DoD Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program, who are now working in the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) at the CTR-constructed Richard Lugar Center, developed a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic testing capability for COVID-19. This diagnostic testing capability …
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U.S. is the world’s largest donor to global public health (April 23) The United States is the world’s largest donor to global public health, donating billions of dollars each year to fight diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, malaria and, now, COVID-19. This commitment to global public health remains steadfast as the U.S. investigates the …
Read More» Iran’s History of Naval Provocations (April 22) “I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.” -President Donald J. Trump, Twitter, April 22, 2020 Iran has long used its naval forces to terrorize the international maritime community – this …
Read More» 50th Anniversary of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (April 22) On July 1, 1968, the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons was opened for signature in three Depository state capitals: Washington, London, and Moscow. This year we mark the 50th anniversary of the NPT’s entry into force. The United States celebrates …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump and Vice President Pence at Tree Planting Ceremony in Recognition of Earth Day and Arbor Day (April 22) THE PRESIDENT: Hi, Mike. Hi. David, hi. Please, thank you. Everyone is very far away from each other. That’s good. We’re learning, right? Hi, Kevin. That’s really nice. Well, this is great …
Read More» Briefing with Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, Bureau of Medical Services, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs, on COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (April 22) MR BROWN: Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to what I believe is our 10th briefing on …
Read More» The United States Is Assisting Pacific Island Countries To Respond to COVID-19 (April 22) As the leader in global health and humanitarian response to COVID-19, the United States has acted swiftly to monitor, respond to, and mitigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Pacific island countries. The Department of State is closely coordinating with U.S. interagency partners including …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (April 18) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. We continue to see a number of positive signs that the virus has passed its peak. It’s been very devastating all over the world. A hundred and eighty-four countries. Probably …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Statement on Borderization Efforts on Good Friday (April 17) The United States is deeply troubled by reports that Russian-led security actors have resumed aggressive “borderization” activities along the administrative boundary line of the Russian-occupied Georgian territory of South Ossetia, near the village of Takhtisdziri. We condemn any actions by the de facto authorities …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (April 17) “The very first thing we did when we learned that Iran was being hit in a significant way with this virus was to reach out and offer humanitarian assistance…We wanted to bring technical assistance and all the things that America can bring to help save Iranian lives.” …
Read More» Proclamation on Days Of Remembrance Of Victims Of The Holocaust, 2020 (April 17) Our Nation’s annual observance of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, calls on all Americans to pause and reflect on the horrific atrocities committed by the Nazi regime against minority groups and other “undesirables” in the years leading up to and during …
Read More» Statement by the Political Directors of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Small Group (April 16) The Political Directors of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Small Group met today virtually to reaffirm our shared commitment to continue the fight against Daesh/ISIS and maintain unity of purpose and cohesiveness in Iraq and Syria. The …
Read More» UPDATE: The United States is Continuing to Lead the Humanitarian and Health Assistance Response to COVID-19 (April 16) The U.S. Government is leading the world’s humanitarian and health response to the COVID-19 pandemic even while we battle the virus at home. As part of this comprehensive and generous response from the American people, the …
Read More» Release of U.S. Government Action Plan to Support the International Response to COVID-19 (April 16) In collaboration with U.S. departments and agencies, the Department of State is releasing the U.S. Government Action Plan to Support the International Response to COVID-19. Through the American people’s generosity and the U.S. government’s action, the United States continues …
Read More» Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, Bureau of Medical Services; Deputy Assistant Secretary Hugo Yon, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs; and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (April 16) MR BROWN: Good afternoon, …
Read More» U.S. Embassy statement on Irakli Okruashvili (April 14) The timing and circumstances of Irakli Okruashvili’s arrest raised concerns about political interference and the selective use of justice. The case casts a shadow over the impartial application of justice – a concern the March 8 Joint Statement was intended to dispel. We urge all signatories to …
Read More» Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (April 14) MS ORTAGUS: Thank you so much. Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to our daily briefing call. So since January 29th, …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (April 14) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everyone. My administration will do everything possible to help those communities get back on their feet. We’re speaking with the governors and representatives. FEMA is already on its way, …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump in a Meeting with Recovered COVID-19 Patients (April 14) THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much, everybody. This is a group of people who, in many cases, became quite famous because they went through a lot having to do with the coronavirus. A tremendous amount. And a lot of them …
Read More» Political Situation in Iraq (April 13) The United States looks forward to the formation of a new Iraqi Government capable of confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, ameliorating the country’s current economic distress, and bringing arms under state control. We welcome that Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish political leaders seem to have arrived at a consensus on government …
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U.S. increases global COVID-19 Aid (April 13) The United States is pledging an additional $225 million to the global fight against COVID-19, strengthening its commitment to stopping the global pandemic. “We do this because we’re good and generous people,” U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said in announcing new COVID-19 funding April 7. “We …
Read More» Ambassador Degnan speaks about U.S. Aid for Georgia’s COVID-19 response (April 13) Gamarjoba – For nearly 30 years, the United States and Georgia have built a partnership based on shared values, common strategic interests, and the mutual benefits of cooperation. As you know, U.S. Government assistance has helped Georgia to strengthen its defense and security, …
Read More» Georgia’s Intellectual Property Agency continues to operate thanks to U.S. Government assistance project (April 13) Georgia’s Intellectual Property Agency, Sakpatenti, has been working without interruption thanks to a U.S. Government assistance project, which started in 2017. The USAID-funded project, called e-Governance, helped Sakpatenti create a completely new database, carry out electronic proceedings, and establish …
Read More» U.S. Assistance to Italy (April 11) During these difficult times, the United States is working in solidarity with our partners and Allies to provide humanitarian assistance to countries in need and to take all possible measures to combat the spread of coronavirus. Italy, one of our closest Allies and friends, has been at the …
Read More» Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Julie Chung, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs; and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (April 10) MR BROWN: Good afternoon, everyone, and thanks …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (April 10) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much everybody, and good afternoon. Today is Good Friday. And this Sunday, millions of Christians celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this holy time, we pray that …
Read More» Ambassador Degnan’s remarks to the press after meeting with Minister of Health on (April 10) Thank you very much. We had a very useful conversation. Of course, we at the United States Embassy are following the situation here in Georgia very very closely. The Minister and I had a chance to discuss not only the …
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U.S. Scientists are getting closer to a vaccine to keep the world safe from COVID-19 (April 10) Several U.S. partnerships are already testing vaccines on humans — a major step toward showing the drug is safe and effective. Others are figuring out new ways to administer and deliver a vaccine when it’s ready. The scientists at U.S. companies and …
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Iranian academics blame regime for COVID-19 ‘disaster’ (April 9) Iranian academics are faulting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for stifling information on COVID-19 and declining foreign aid, allowing the country’s outbreak to grow into “a national disaster.” In the March 29 letter, reported by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), 100 academics call Khamenei “the Number 1 culprit” …
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U.S. stands with ASEAN to control the new Coronavirus (April 9) Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has provided more than $18 million in emergency health and humanitarian assistance to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. The examples range from providing technical experts to Myanmar, to sharing best practices …
Read More» USAID Partnering with Enterprise Georgia to Combat COVID-19 (April 9) The U.S. Government, through USAID, announced that its Economic Security Program is supporting the production of packaging for nearly one million domestically manufactured medical masks to be distributed throughout Georgia. A partnership between USAID, Enterprise Georgia, and private sector manufacturers, this activity is helping …
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Lugar Center supports Georgian NCDC on COVID-19 response (April 9) The Richard G. Lugar Center for Public Health Research is home to the Georgian National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) and the U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Georgia (USAMRD-G), an overseas infectious disease laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). …
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Spirit of America, in coordination with U.S. Civil-Military Support Element, donates personal protective equipment to a clinic in Akhaltskhikhe (April 8) Since 2018, U.S. Embassy Tbilisi’s Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE) has been cooperating with the Democrat Women’s Organization (DWO), which operates a women’s health clinic in Akhaltsikhe. The clinic primarily supports women’s health and conducts cancer screenings for the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Since the outbreak …
Read More» Continuing U.S. Leadership in the Global COVID-19 Response Through Additional U.S. Foreign Assistance (April 8) Thanks to the unmatched generosity of the American people and the efforts of the U.S. Government, the United States has continued to lead the world’s public health and humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are building on that …
Read More» Briefing With Senior State Department Officials On the Release of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Report on Syria (April 8) MODERATOR ONE: Hi, good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for joining. Our apologies for the delay in beginning. Up front, I just want to establish the ground rules. This briefing is provided on …
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U.S. companies helped China in its time of need (April 7) The people of the United States care for the people of China. As the People’s Republic of China grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, U.S. companies sprang into action to provide assistance, relief and containment efforts. From beverage companies to shipping businesses, …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (April 7) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you very much. This week, America continues our aggressive effort to defeat the virus as we enter a crucial and difficult phase of the battle. We continue to …
Read More» The United States Designates Russian Imperial Movement and Leaders as Global Terrorists (April 7) The State Department has designated the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) and members of its leadership as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, the first time in history the Department has designated a white supremacist terrorist group. As President Trump has said, “In one …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (April 6) THE PRESIDENT: Okay, thank you very much, everybody. All these people have been working very, very hard today, I’ll tell you. For a long time, they’ve been working. But before I begin, I want to …
Read More» Joint Statement from Co-Chairs of the ASEAN- U.S. High Level Interagency Video Conference to Counter COVID-19 (April 6) The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States and Vietnam as Co-Chairs of the ASEAN – U.S. High-level Interagency Video Conference to Counter COVID-19 held on April 1, 2020. …
Read More» Briefing With Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales On the United States Designation of the Russian Imperial Movement And its Leaders as Global Terrorists (April 6) MS ORTAGUS: Good morning, and thanks for joining this briefing. Today, the State Department has announced the designation of Russian Imperial Movement, or RIM, and members of …
Read More» Iran’s Sanctions Relief Scam (April 6) “I think the Iranian [people] love America. I think they’d love to be free…They love what we stand for…if they need help with respect to the virus, we have the greatest medical professionals in the world. We’d love to send them over.” -President Trump, Remarks to the Press …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (April 5) THE PRESIDENT: It’s a busy time. Very busy time. And let me begin by again expressing our support, solidarity, and love for the people of our great country. We’re fighting for you and we’re enduring …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (April 3) “… As we’ve said for the detainees in Iran, now is the most appropriate moment to use this humanitarian challenge as a reason to allow these people to return to their families and their loved ones. State Department’s working hard to get them back.” -Secretary of State …
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Restoring free and fair elections in Venezuela (April 2) The United States released a framework that builds upon the proposals put forward by the interim government of Venezuela for a path to free and fair presidential elections in that country. “This framework can provide a path that ends the suffering and opens the path …
Read More» Briefing With Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback On COVID-19 Impact on Religious Minorities (April 2) SAMUEL D. BROWNBACK, AMBASSADOR AT LARGE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MS ORTAGUS: Thank you very much. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us on …
Read More» To Walk the Earth in Safety: New Report Showcases U.S. Global Leadership in Landmine Clearance and Conventional Weapons Destruction (April 2) The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs released the 19th Edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety , a report underscoring the accomplishments of the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Program. For over 20 years, …
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America’s small businesses shift production to aid COVID-19 fight By Dave Reynolds – Apr 2, 2020 Small businesses across America are at the forefront of a nationwide mobilization against the novel coronavirus. Producers of everything from athletic gear to boat covers and whiskey have shifted production to making masks, face shields and hand sanitizer to slow the …
Read More» IAEA to Ship Vital Testing Equipment to Countries in the Fight against COVID-19 (April 1) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is dispatching a first batch of equipment to more than 40 countries to enable them to use a nuclear-derived technique to rapidly detect the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This emergency assistance is part …
Read More» U.S. Purchase of Needed Supplies from Russia (April 1) The United States is committed to the global fight against COVID-19. We are a generous and reliable contributor to crisis response and humanitarian action across the world, but we cannot do it alone. The countries of the G20 agreed last week to work together to …
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Georgian Professionals successfully using the training and equipment provided by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (March 31) Along with highly skilled medical professionals, Georgia also has chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense teams that have been trained and fully equipped through the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) assistance programs. These same teams are currently using that …
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USAID Support for Central Election Commission under Elections and Political Processes Program (March 31) Cybersecurity is crucial to protecting democracy. Today, Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) signed an agreement with UGT, a private-sector IT company, to provide critical software and hardware to protect the country’s democratic elections from external malign influence. Electoral cybersecurity is …
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Iran’s regime refuses virus aid, slighting its people (March 31) Iran’s leaders have repeatedly refused outside offers to help everyday Iranians who are suffering from COVID-19, worsening the regime’s failed response to the outbreak. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the aid group also called Doctors Without Borders, said March 24 that Iran’s regime rejected previously …
Read More» The U.S. Role in International Organizations’ Response to COVID-19 (March 31) “Whenever you see high quality, effective COVID-19 aid being delivered around the world by UN humanitarian and relief agencies, what you are seeing is the generosity of the American people and those who share our humanitarian values. We are by far the largest …
Read More» U.S. Support for ASEAN in Fighting COVID-19 (March 31) As the leader in the global health and humanitarian response to COVID-19, the United States has acted swiftly to support our ASEAN partners in combating the COVID-19 virus. Since the outbreak began, the U.S. government has provided approximately $18.3 million in emergency health and humanitarian assistance …
Read More» Restrictions on Iran’s Nuclear Program Continued (March 30) The United States is renewing four restrictions on the Iranian regime’s nuclear program for an additional 60 days. Iran’s continued expansion of nuclear activities is unacceptable. The regime’s nuclear extortion is among the greatest threats to international peace and security. As President Trump said earlier this year, Iran …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in a Press Briefing (March 30) THE PRESIDENT: Okay, thank you very much. Thank you. Very comfortable here. A lot of room. And we appreciate you being here. Yesterday I announced that we would be extending our social distance guidelines through the end …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 29) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Appreciate everybody being here. Beautiful day in the Rose Garden. Tremendous distance between chairs. Social distancing. You practice it very well. We appreciate it. That’s great. I want to …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump in a Meeting with Supply Chain Distributors on COVID-19 (March 29) THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. First of all, I’d like to congratulate the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA and everybody else in the federal government, working with state government, but on the incredible job that the …
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U.S. private sector ramps up to respond to COVID-19 (March 28) The U.S. private sector is facing the challenge posed by the COVID-19 virus head-on. As medical staff care for patients across the country, the need for protective N95 disposable respirators is skyrocketing. In response, the manufacturing giant Honeywell is ramping up its production …
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CDC trains public health and clinical staff as part of the COVID-19 response (March 27) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has successfully engaged with its Georgian counterparts for years. We are proud to support the Georgian National Center for Disease Control and the Ministry of Health, and the latest training …
Read More» Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, Bureau of Medical Services, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (March 27) MS ORTAGUS: Thanks, everybody, and sorry for our tardiness. We keep having a little bit …
Read More» Briefing With Special Envoy Lea Gabrielle, Global Engagement Center On Disinformation and Propaganda Related to COVID-19 (March 27) MS ORTAGUS: Great. Okay, this record – excuse me, this phone call, this briefing is going to be on the record and embargoed until the end of the call, please. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (March 27) “Our pressure campaign remains designed to induce Iran to act like a normal country. I urged our G7 partners to go further in joining us – and they should especially stand with the U.S. in ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.” Secretary of State Mike …
Read More» Briefing With Special Envoy Lea Gabrielle, Global Engagement Center On Disinformation and Propaganda Related to COVID-19 (March 27) MS ORTAGUS: Great. Okay, this record – excuse me, this phone call, this briefing is going to be on the record and embargoed until the end of the call, please. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout …
Read More» The United States Is Leading the Humanitarian and Health Assistance Response to COVID-19 (March 27) Excerpt: Georgia: $1.1 million in health funding will help prepare laboratory systems, activate case-finding and event-based surveillance, support technical experts for response and preparedness, bolster risk communication, and more. The United States has provided nearly $139 million in health assistance …
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America’s ‘citizen soldiers’ aid Coronavirus fight (March 27) America’s National Guard is on the front lines of the “whole-of-America” fight against the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These Americans demonstrate the Guard’s dual role to be prepared to respond to domestic emergencies as well as U.S. military missions abroad. A unique element of the U.S. …
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U.S. supercomputers take aim at Coronavirus (March 27) The United States is making the world’s most advanced supercomputers available to scientists around the globe to help fight the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The White House recently announced the creation of the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium , a new collaboration between the U.S. government, technology companies and research universities. This initiative will “unleash the power of American supercomputing …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 26) THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Hello. Thank you very much. Thank you. Beautiful day. Very good what you’re doing. Look at all those empty seats. Never seen it like that. Oh, boy. Well, how the world has …
Read More» U.S. Government Announces $1.1 Million in Emergency Health Assistance to Georgia (March 26) On March 26, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announced a significant increase in the United States’ contribution to the global response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Under this initiative, USAID will contribute approximately $1.1 million in emergency health assistance …
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U.S. leadership on global health is unmatched (March 26) Viruses do not respect national boundaries. They are a global threat. And the United States’ investment in global health has grown significantly over time. As the largest donor to global health programs, the U.S. has led the strengthening of health systems for more than 100 …
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U.S. and French colleagues work together on COVID-19 cure (March 26) By Noelani Kirschner Two scientists who met through the J. William Fulbright international exchange program are part of a worldwide hunt to find existing drugs that can be used to treat the COVID-19 virus. As a U.S.-France Fulbright-Tocqueville Distinguished Chair in spring 2015, Benjamin R. tenOever …
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Open communication key during public health crises (March 26) Within weeks of learning about the deadly coronavirus outbreak that originated in China, officials in South Korea stood up laboratories to support testing of 20,000 citizens per day. In Taiwan, authorities began daily press conferences to inform the public and dispel rumors. And in the United States, the National Institutes of Health quickly …
Read More» U.S. Foreign Assistance in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 26) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE The U.S. government has rapidly mobilized unprecedented resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, both at home and abroad. Today, I am pleased to announce that the United States has made available nearly $274 million in emergency health and humanitarian funding. Along with the …
Read More» Briefing On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (March 25) MS ORTAGUS: Hi, thanks. Good afternoon, everybody. Apologize that we’re starting a few minutes late. But welcome to today’s briefing on the department’s efforts to repatriate American citizens from around the globe in the face of the historic challenge posed …
Read More» Briefing With USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick and Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources James L. Richardson On U.S. Foreign Assistance in Response to COVID-19 (March 26) MS ORTAGUS: Well, let’s go ahead and get started, everybody. This is Morgan, spokesperson. I just want to remind everybody that everything that we discuss on this call …
Read More» Release of Arbitrarily Detained Civilians and U.S. Citizens in Syria to Avert COVID-19 Spread (March 25) In light of threats posed by COVID-19, the United States reiterates its calls for the Assad regime to take concrete steps to protect the fate of thousands of civilians, including U.S. citizens, being held arbitrarily in overcrowded and …
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World Tuberculosis Day 24 March 2020 – Millions around the globe will come together to mark World TB Day on 24 March. Under the theme “It’s Time”, the spotlight this year is on urgently accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering, building on high-level commitments by Heads of State at the …
Read More» Iran: COVID-19 DISINFORMATION FACT-SHEET (March 23) “I also want to call attention to the Iranian regime’s misinformation campaign surrounding the origination of the Wuhan virus. Instead of focusing on the needs of the Iranian people and accepting genuine offers of support, senior Iranians lied about the Wuhan virus outbreak for weeks.” The Iranian leadership …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 24) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Been a very busy day. I want to thank the American people for the incredible sacrifices that they’re making on behalf of our nation. And I want to encourage everyone …
Read More» Briefing With Senior State Department Official On Updates on State Department’s Response to COVID-19 (March 24) MODERATOR ONE: Good afternoon, everybody, and thanks for joining today’s call. As discussed yesterday, we’re going to try to keep a drumbeat of daily briefings heading your way, briefings that relate to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our briefer …
Read More» Joint Statement on the so-called “Presidential Elections” held in Georgia’s Abkhazia Region (March 23) Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America do not recognize the legitimacy of the so-called “presidential elections” held in Georgia’s Abkhazia region on …
Read More» U.S. announces an additional $5 million in funding to IAEA to Combat COVID-19 Outbreak (March 23) U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna Vienna, Austria March 23, 2020 The United States informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today that an additional $5 million of U.S. voluntary contributions to the IAEA will be allocated …
Read More» Briefing With Senior State Department Officials On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad (March 23) MODERATOR ONE: Okay, at the end of the opening remarks, if you want to ask a question, please send me a text message at [redacted] and I will add you to the queue. With …
Read More» Khamenei’s Lies About the Wuhan Virus Put Lives at Risk (March 23) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE Supreme Leader Khamenei’s fabrications regarding the Wuhan Virus are dangerous and they put Iranians and people around the world at greater risk. Facts matter. Here are a few the Iranian regime would like to keep from the world: Fact: In February, Iran’s chief …
Read More» Joint Statement on Behalf of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS on the First Anniversary of ISIS’s Territorial Defeat (March 23) One year ago the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS, in conjunction with our local partners, liberated ISIS’s last remaining stronghold in Baghouz and crushed its territorial ambitions. Today, nearly eight million people have been …
Read More» On the Political Impasse in Afghanistan (March 23) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE The United States is proud of our partnership with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Afghan people, and admires what Afghanistan has achieved since 2001. We have forged a deep bond, especially with Afghan security forces, through shared sacrifice in responding to threats to international peace …
Read More» World Water Day: Celebrating International Cooperation for Water Access (March 22) Thanks to international cooperation, millions of people across the world have received access to clean water and sanitation, but still more work needs to be done. On World Water Day March 22, celebrate and review progress toward U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 6 , access to safe water for all by …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 21) James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:00 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. A lot of things going on, and we’re going to be going over to the Hill, and we’re having a …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (March 20) “We made a commitment to do everything we can to provide them with all that America can deliver for Iran. I hope they’ll accept that offer. That alone will contribute to Iran being able to manage this problem set for the Iranian people. I hope they’ll take …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 20) James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 11:50 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I had a very good telephone conversation — extremely good — with Senator Schumer a little while ago. We’re working …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 19) James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 11:31 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I think this is going to be a very important conference and I’ll get to that toward the middle, but …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump and Vice President Pence in a Video Teleconference with Governors on COVID-19 (March 19) Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters Washington, D.C. 2:40 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Everybody ready? Okay, Chad, do you want to start it? Do you — do you want to start off? ACTING SECRETARY WOLF: Well, Mr. …
Read More» Amid COVID-19, Iranian regime continued flights to China (March 19) While Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed the deadly COVID-19 outbreak as a biological attack, his regime continued flights to China, putting his people and the broader Middle East at greater risk of the rapidly spreading disease, news reports say. “[T]he best biological defense would’ve …
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U.S. Scientists work tirelessly on coronavirus vaccines (March 19) By Dave Reynolds – U.S. innovators are rushing to combat the new coronavirus, with vaccines already in development and new treatment options being tested in the United States and Asia. The rapid response received a boost this month as President Trump signed into law $8.3 billion in federal funds to fight COVID-19. …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 18) James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 12:06 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I would like to begin by announcing some important developments in our war against the Chinese virus. We’ll be invoking …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump and Vice President Pence in a Briefing with Nurses on COVID-19 Response (March 18) Cabinet Room 3:53 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. And today I welcome the great nurses of our country to the White House and express our gratitude for those on the frontlines in …
Read More» Further Sanctions on Entities Trading in or Transporting Iranian Petrochemicals (March 18) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State-sanctioned nine entities and three individuals who have engaged in activity that could enable the Iranian regime’s violent behavior. The actions of these individuals and entities provide revenue to the regime that it may use to …
Read More» Sanctions on Entities Trading in or Transporting Iranian Petrochemicals (March 18) On March 18, the U.S. Department of State imposed sanctions, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, on the following seven entities for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petrochemical products from Iran. South African …
Read More» Constraining Iranian Nuclear Scientists (March 18) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE On March 16, in response to the Iranian regime’s unacceptable nuclear escalations, the Department of Commerce is imposing restrictions on five Iranian nuclear scientists by adding them to the Department of Commerce’s Entity List. These five individuals were involved in Iran’s pre-2004 nuclear weapons program (the “Amad Plan”) …
Read More» China’s Expulsion of U.S. Journalists (March 18) SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TWO: So want everybody – to just lay down the ground rules at the beginning, just remember, please, that this interview is embargoed until the very end, so please no tweeting or putting anything out until the interview is complete. This also going to …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Tourism Industry Executives on COVID-19 Response (March 17) Cabinet Room 2:16 P.M. EDTTHE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. We have the tourism industry executives, the biggest anywhere in the world. These are the great ones, and they’re going to say a couple of little words pretty …
Read More» The State Department Imposes Sanctions on Individual Responsible for the Violence in Northern Syria (March 17) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE Today, the United States is designating a senior Assad regime official who is responsible for the violence and the disastrous humanitarian crisis in northern Syria. The Department of State is imposing sanctions under Executive Order 13894 on …
Read More» Terrorist Designation of ISIS Leader Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla (March 17) The Department of State has announced its intent to designate Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla, the new leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Section 1(a)(ii)(B) of Executive Order 13224, as …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 16) James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:21 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. So, I’m glad to see that you’re practicing social distancing. That looks very nice. It’s very good. I …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 15) James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 5:15 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Beautiful day outside. And I think we have some great things to talk about. I’ll start by discussing the Federal Reserve. As you know, …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing (March 14) James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 12:19 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. We just completed a very good meeting of the Coronavirus Task Force. And we — we’re really — they’re really …
Read More» Joint Statement of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission Working Group on People-to-People and Cultural Exchange The U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission’s Working Group on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges met January 24 in Washington, DC to coordinate approaches on a range of critical bilateral issues. The United States welcomed the Georgian government’s commitment to reforming and improving …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Conference (March 13) Rose Garden 3:30 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you. Thank you. A beautiful day in the Rose Garden. Appreciate everybody being here. Today, I’d like to provide an update to the …
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Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Conference (March 13) Rose Garden 3:30 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you. Thank you. A beautiful day in the Rose Garden. Appreciate everybody being here. Today, I’d like to provide an update to the …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy (March 13) “The United States calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release on humanitarian grounds all wrongfully detained Americans being held in Iran. The United States will hold the Iranian regime directly responsible for any American deaths. Our response will be decisive.” – Secretary Pompeo, Press …
Read More» Temporary Pause of International Exchange Programs Due to COVID-19 MEDIA NOTE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will temporarily pause all ECA-funded programs that involve travel to and from countries with heightened U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Alert Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) and Warning Level 3 …
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Ambassador Degnan’s Remarks to Media per Meeting with Minister of Finance Question about the meeting Ambassador Kelly Degnan: I had an excellent meeting with the Finance Minister. We already have such extensive cooperation, especially in the areas of export controls and border security. But we also explored developing an investment screening mechanism so Georgia would …
Read More» Proclamation—Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus HEALTHCARE Issued on: March 11, 2020 On January 31, 2020, I issued Proclamation 9984 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus and Other Appropriate Measures To Address …
Read More» Human Rights Report for 2019 From the time we declared our independence as a free nation, the United States has committed itself to the ideals of democracy, individual freedom, equal protection under the rule of law, and the protection of human rights. Our nation was founded on the premise that all human beings are created …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Bankers on COVID-19 (March 11) Cabinet Room 3:39 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. And we are having a meeting — a very important meeting — with the, I would say, the greatest bankers in the world, the most important banks in the world, …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump in Address to the Nation (March 11) Oval Office 9:02 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans: Tonight, I want to speak with you about our nation’s unprecedented response to the coronavirus outbreak that started in China and is now spreading throughout the world. Today, the World Health Organization officially …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump and Vice President Pence at a Coronavirus Briefing with Health Insurers (March 10) Roosevelt Room 11:43 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. We’re meeting with the top executives of the health insurance companies, the biggest companies in our country — probably the biggest companies in our country, …
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The U.S. Forest Service representatives hold workshops for over 130 high school students in Georgia As the U.S. Embassy’s Earth Day Campaign continues, we were delighted to host U.S. Forest Service representatives at American Corners throughout Georgia. The U.S. Forest Service held a series of workshops for over 130 high school students in Tbilisi, Gori, …
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Ambassador Degnan’s Remarks to Media per Meeting with Minister Chkhenkeli (March 9) Question about the meeting Ambassador Kelly Degnan: I had a great meeting with the minister today. We have such a rich array of collaboration with all the sectors in his ministry, such as math, education, science, culture, and sports. We discussed different ways …
Read More» Joint Statement on the Signing of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement (March 9) MEDIA NOTE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON MARCH 9, 2020 The text of the following statement was agreed by Special Envoys and Special Representatives of the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States of America on the occasion of …
Read More» Statement of the Political Dialogue Facilitators on Agreement (March 8) We congratulate the participants of the political dialogue on today’s successful agreement, which represents a crucial step towards depolarization and normalization of the political environment in Georgia in the run-up to the parliamentary elections later this year. Today’s agreement foresees an election system for …
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U.S. Embassy and Batumi American Corner celebrate grand opening of Khulo Youth Platform U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Catherine Schweitzer joined the community of Khulo to celebrate the grand opening of the Khulo Youth Platform, a project initiated by five young people through the framework of Batumi American Corner’s Community Ambassadors Project. The Khulo team …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump After Tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Atlanta, GA (March 7) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, Georgia March 6, 2020 4:43 P.M EST THE PRESIDENT: I said, “I’d like to walk the press down the hall to see how professional this is.” It’s incredible. …
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Ambassador Degnan’s Remarks to Media per Meeting with Minister Tikaradze (March 5) Question about GoG’s measures against coronavirus Ambassador Kelly Degnan: I’ve been very impressed with Georgia’s proactive response to the outbreak. In fact, when I came through the airport on Saturday, on my way back from Washington, I came through several airports, but …
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Pompeo: The world needs courageous women (March 4) By Noelani Kirschner Peacemakers, activists, lawyers, journalists, politicians and defenders of human rights. These are the recipients of the 2020 International Women of Courage Award. “We are here to honor a quality that all of the women onstage possess, and that is courage,” said first lady Melania Trump at …
Read More» IAEA Reports Nuclear Concerns in Iran (March 5) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE On March 3 in Vienna, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi issued two new reports that heighten already serious concerns that the Islamic Republic of Iran is hiding its nuclear material and nuclear activities. Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran’s safeguards agreements, under …
Read More» ICC Decision on Afghanistan (March 5) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE Today, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber authorized an investigation into the alleged activities of the Taliban and the U.S. and Afghan personnel related to Afghanistan. This is a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution, masquerading as a legal body. It is all the …
Read More» 2020 International Women of Courage Award Recipients Announced (March 4) Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo to Honor Awardees on March 4, 2020 with Special Remarks by First Lady of the United States Melania Trump On Wednesday, March 4, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will host the Annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) …
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Ambassador Degnan speaks about Preventing Violence against Women in Politics and Elections (March 4) Today Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan delivered remarks during the Meeting on Preventing Violence against Women in Politics and Elections organized by the United Nations. The Ambassador spoke about the growing recognition of women’s important role in leadership and how their …
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The U.S. Embassy’s Donates Personal Care Bags to the Domestic Violence Intake Center (March 4) Employees of the U.S. Embassy donated 19 “Personal Care” bags to the Tbilisi Domestic Violence Intake Center as care packages for women seeking safety and a new beginning after experiencing domestic violence. The bags contained personal care items necessary …
Read More» America Announces New Humanitarian Assistance for the Syria Crisis Response (March 3) PRESS STATEMENT MORGAN ORTAGUS, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON Today in Turkey, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kelly Craft, announced $108 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria in response to the ongoing crisis caused by the Assad regime, Russian, and Iranian forces. This …
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Georgia hosts INL’s 9th Annual Women in Policing Conference (March 3) Today Ambassador Kelly Degnan opened the 9th Annual Women in Policing Conference organized by U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL). This conference is designed to empower, inspire, and educate female members of the criminal justice system. Studies show that female law …
Read More» Ambassador Kelly Degnan’s Remarks to media at the 9th Women in Policing Conference (March 3) Question about the event Ambassador Kelly Degnan: I am delighted to be part of the opening of the ninth annual Women in Policing workshop here in Tbilisi. It is designed to inspire and educate female police officers and help further …
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Pompeo: the U.S. stands for religious freedom (March 2) U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo underscored the U.S. commitment to defending religious freedom as regimes around the world restrict their own people’s right to worship as they choose. Pompeo told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) February 28 in Oxon Hill, Maryland, that …
Read More» Statement by United States Mission to the OSCE on Recent Attack in the Chechen Republic, Russia, against Elena Milashina and Marina Dubrovina (March 2) By Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna Thank you, Mr. Chair. The United States condemns the malicious attack that occurred on February 6 in Grozny, Chechnya, directed …
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Defense Secretary Mark Esper: This is our chance to bring troops home from Afghanistan for good (March 1) By Mark Esper March 1, 2020 at 1:16 a.m. GMT+4 Mark Esper is a U.S. defense secretary. On Sept. 11, 2001, as many of us remember too well, al-Qaeda perpetrated its murderous attacks against the United States …
Read More» Secretary Michael R. Pompeo At a Press Availability After the Afghanistan Signing Ceremony (February 29) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE SECRETARY POMPEO: Good afternoon, everyone. Today is a historic day for the United States of America and the American people. Today, we have taken a decisive step toward peace, real peace in Afghanistan. Just as any worthy journey begins, it …
Read More» Briefing With Senior Administration Officials On Next Steps Toward an Agreement on Bringing Peace to Afghanistan (February 29) MODERATOR: Okay, we’re going to try to give everybody as much time as possible. Let’s talk about ground rules up front. This is going to be on background, SAO, okay? This is going to be embargoed until …
Read More» This Week in Iran Policy “The United [States] stands with the Iranian people. We will continue to their support their voices. These are people who are desperately eager to be heard in a free and fair election.” – Secretary Pompeo, Remarks, February 25, 2020 OPENING REMARKS BY SECRETARY POMPEO BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, FEBRUARY …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump at a Reception for African American History Month (February 28) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you very much. AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! THE PRESIDENT: We love you. Thank you very much, everybody. I want to just — first of all, a person that’s doing …
Read More» Attack on Turkish Soldiers in Idlib (February 28) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE We stand by our NATO Ally Turkey in the aftermath of the despicable and brazen February 27 attack on Turkish forces in Idlib, which resulted in the death of dozens of Turkish soldiers. We send our condolences to the Government of …
Read More» The United States Offers Assistance to the Iranian People (February 28) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE The United States stands with the people of Iran during the public health crisis caused by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The U.S. Government is prepared to assist the Iranian people in their response efforts. This …
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The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at 50 (February 27) The NPT is the cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime, reinforcing international peace and security and preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons. Global nuclear stockpiles are at their lowest levels since the 1950s, according to the Federation of American Scientists . The treaty, which entered into force March 5, …
Read More» USAID launches new grants program to support Georgian agriculture (February 26) The United States continues to support Georgia in developing its agricultural sector. Today, USAID announced the Agriculture Program Innovation Grant in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency. These grants will help innovative food producers increase the quality of …
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U.S. Government helps to increase capacity at Kutaisi International Airport (February 26) Today the USAID Economic Security Program signed a memorandum of understanding with United Airports of Georgia to support the expansion of Kutaisi International Airport. With workforce training and marketing support, the United States will help the airport drive economic growth in Imereti and across Georgia. …
Read More» Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Conference (February 26) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you very much. Before I begin, I’d like to extend my deepest condolences to the victims and families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Earlier today, a wicked murderer opened …
Read More» United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee Designation of ISIS-West Africa and ISIS-Greater Sahara (February 26) The United States welcomes the action taken by the United Nations Security Council’s 1267 al-Qa’ida and ISIL (Da’esh) Sanctions Committee on February 23 to add ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA) and ISIS-Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) to its designations list. The United States designated …
Read More» New Sanctions under the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA) (February 25) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE The United States is sanctioning 13 foreign entities and individuals in China, Iraq, Russia, and Turkey pursuant to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA). This action includes new sanctions against five entities/individuals in China (Luo Dingwen, …
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Seized missiles show Iran’s regime flouting U.N. resolutions (February 24) A U.S. seizure of Iranian-made missiles headed to the Houthis in Yemen shows the Iranian regime continuing to sow violence and flout international rules. “Guided missiles and improvised explosive devices are not the tools of diplomacy,” U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told …
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U.S. Embassy Earth Day campaign teams up with NGO and private sector (February 24) The U.S. Embassy’s Earth Day campaign continues. This month our partner CENN/USAID Waste Management Program organized an eco-tour for Tbilisi American Corner students to learn about how to carry out environmentally friendly practices in a workplace setting. The program raised awareness about environmental issues among young …
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How USAID helped contain the 1st Ebola case in Goma (February 24) The story of the first Ebola case in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), started here, Bishop Bernard Kabamba said as he sat on his front porch. He was thinking back to the day when Pastor Kubiya showed up at …
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Ambassador Degnan meets with NDI President Mitchell (February 23) Today Ambassador Kelly Degnan met with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) President Derek Mitchell, during his visit to Georgia, to discuss the current political and pre-electoral environment. NDI plays a critical role as a non-partisan organization working with a range of partners to support democratic institutions …
Read More» Next Steps Toward a U.S. Agreement with the Taliban (February 21) PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE The United States and the Taliban have been engaged in extensive talks to facilitate a political settlement to end the war in Afghanistan, reduce the United States and Allied Forces presence, and ensure that no terrorist group ever uses Afghan soil to …
Read More» The United States Condemns Russian Cyber Attack Against the Country of Georgia (February 20) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE On October 28, 2019, the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Main Center for Special Technologies (GTsST, also known as Unit 74455 and Sandworm) carried out a widespread disruptive cyber attack against the country of Georgia. The incident, which directly affected …
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Iranian president begs voters to be regime’s ‘savior’ (February 20) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani acknowledges that Iran’s regime is in dire straits. But rather than taking responsibility, he is asking the Iranian people to vote for more of the same. At a recent rally in Tehran, Rouhani implored the Iranian people to set aside any …
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Ambassador Degnan’s meeting with opposition leaders (February 18) Ambassador Kelly Degnan today hosted opposition leaders to meet them and discuss Georgia’s political environment. Ambassador Degnan reiterated the importance of all sides actively participating in the ongoing political dialogue and wider electoral reform process to address OSCE-ODIHR recommendations.
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Presidents memorialized By Mark Trainer Americans honor their presidents in many ways, but few presidential monuments are as big as Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota (see above). The monument depicts four presidents for their roles in the country’s history: (from left) George Washington for the country’s birth, Thomas Jefferson for helping the young …
Read More» Public-Private Cooperation To Combat the Novel Coronavirus (February 15) PRESS STATEMENT MORGAN ORTAGUS, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON Last week, thanks to a joint effort of federal and local authorities and private organizations and companies, 17.8 tons of personal protection equipment and medical supplies were delivered, and more than 800 people were evacuated from Wuhan, China, amidst the Novel Coronavirus outbreak. A …
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USAID/Georgia Mission Director Wiebler speaks at Parliamentary Legal Issues Committee (February 14) Today USAID/Georgia Mission Director Peter Wiebler spoke at the Parliamentary Legal Issues Committee’s presentation of its 2019 annual report and underlined the U.S. Government’s support for the implementation of important reforms strengthening the rule of law in Georgia. The event highlighted several areas where the …
Read More» On the One-Year Anniversary of the Launch of the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative (February 12) MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE AMBASSADOR CURRIE: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the United States Department of State. My name is Kelley Currie. I am the ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues here at the department. We are honored and delighted to …
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Ambassador Kelly Degnan’s Remarks to Media per Meeting with MOH Tikaradze (February 11) Q-n about the meeting Ambassador Kelly Degnan: We had a very valuable meeting with the Minister today, covering a range of issues. We have so much cooperation in the health sector, the labor sector, social issues in general. We discussed a little …
Read More» U.S. Embassy Statement on Political Dialogue and Conviction of Opposition Leader (February 11) The U.S. Embassy supports the political dialogue between Georgia’s governing party and opposition representatives aimed at reaching an agreement on an election system that best serves the Georgian people. The U.S. Embassy is disappointed that the timing and context of the conviction …
Read More» Iran’s Failed Space Launch (February 11) The Iranian regime uses satellite launches to develop its ballistic missile capabilities. The technologies used to launch satellites into orbit are virtually identical and interchangeable with those used in longer range systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles. Each launch, whether failed or not, further allows Iran to gain experience …
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