Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Belgium, North Macedonia, Israel, the West Bank, and the U.A.E.
Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Belgium, North Macedonia, Israel, the West Bank, and the U.A.E. from November 27 – December 2, 2023. In Belgium, Secretary Blinken will attend the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, including the first foreign ministers meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Secretary Blinken will highlight NATO’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression, emphasize our support for democracy and regional stability in the Western Balkans, and discuss priorities for the Washington Summit in July 2024. During his visit to North Macedonia, Secretary Blinken will engage with OSCE counterparts, reaffirming the United States’ steadfast commitment to the OSCE and its core mission of promoting security, stability, and cooperation among states, with a particular emphasis on human rights and peaceful resolution of disputes. Secretary Blinken will also highlight the pivotal role played by the OSCE in advancing comprehensive security across the region and thank North Macedonia for its leadership role. In Israel and the West Bank, Secretary Blinken will discuss Israel’s right to defend itself consistent with international humanitarian law, as well as continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages, protect civilian life during Israel’s operations in Gaza, and accelerate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The Secretary will also discuss the principles he outlined in Tokyo on November 8, tangible steps to further the creation of a future Palestinian state, and the need to prevent the conflict from widening. Finally, Secretary Blinken will travel to Dubai to attend the UN Climate Conference, COP28, where he will engage leaders on the need to continue global action to address the climate crisis. The Secretary will also meet with counterparts on regional issues, including the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Belgium, North Macedonia, Israel, the West Bank, and the U.A.E. from November 27 – December 2, 2023.
In Belgium, Secretary Blinken will attend the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, including the first foreign ministers meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Secretary Blinken will highlight NATO’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression, emphasize our support for democracy and regional stability in the Western Balkans, and discuss priorities for the Washington Summit in July 2024.
During his visit to North Macedonia, Secretary Blinken will engage with OSCE counterparts, reaffirming the United States’ steadfast commitment to the OSCE and its core mission of promoting security, stability, and cooperation among states, with a particular emphasis on human rights and peaceful resolution of disputes. Secretary Blinken will also highlight the pivotal role played by the OSCE in advancing comprehensive security across the region and thank North Macedonia for its leadership role.
In Israel and the West Bank, Secretary Blinken will discuss Israel’s right to defend itself consistent with international humanitarian law, as well as continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages, protect civilian life during Israel’s operations in Gaza, and accelerate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The Secretary will also discuss the principles he outlined in Tokyo on November 8, tangible steps to further the creation of a future Palestinian state, and the need to prevent the conflict from widening.
Finally, Secretary Blinken will travel to Dubai to attend the UN Climate Conference, COP28, where he will engage leaders on the need to continue global action to address the climate crisis. The Secretary will also meet with counterparts on regional issues, including the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
