Statement by the President on Travel to Poland
Categories: Foreign Policy, Office of the Press Secretary, Statements and Releases, The President Tags:
Readout by the Press Secretary on the President’s Monthly Update on Afghanistan and Pakistan
The President met with his national security team for his monthly update on Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President and his team began with a discussion on Afghanistan, including the progress that’s been made in the security situation following the Marjah offensive, the training of Afghan Security Forces, and efforts to support fair and effective governance at the national and sub-national level. The President and his team also discussed the progress made by the Pakistani military through its offensive, continued U.S. support for Pakistani people, and the continuation of our Strategic Dialogue with the Pakistani government.
Categories: Foreign Policy, Office of the Press Secretary, Statements and Releases Tags:
Readout of The Vice President’s Meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili
Earlier today, the Vice President met with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili at the White House. The Vice President thanked President Saakashvili for Georgia's substantial contribution to the international effort in Afghanistan, with its battalion serving alongside United States’ troops in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. The Vice President reiterated the United States' support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Vice President encouraged President Saakashvili's efforts to strengthen Georgia through democratic and economic reforms designed to ensure stability and prosperity. They discussed the deep and abiding friendship between the people of the United States and Georgia based on the shared values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.
Categories: Foreign Policy, Office of the Vice President, Statements and Releases, The Vice President Tags:
Text of The Vice President’s Condolence Note to the People of Poland
Earlier today, the Vice President visited the Polish Embassy in Washington, DC, to sign the condolence book for President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and all those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash last Saturday in Russia.
Below is the text of the Vice President’s condolence note:
"It is with a heavy heart that I write these words. I had the honor and privilege of knowing President Kaczynski - recently having been with him in Poland as we worked out the new missile defense agreement.
His loss and the loss of Mrs. Kaczynski along with so many dedicated servants of the Polish people is almost too much to ask the Polish people to endure - but endure you will as you always have.
Please know that I am an admirer of all that is Polish - and that you can count on my country and all Americans to continue to stand with you.
With deep sympathy.
Joe Biden"
To view a photograph of the Vice President signing the condolence book at the Polish Embassy, please click HERE.
Categories: Foreign Policy, Office of the Vice President, Statements and Releases, The Vice President Tags:
Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Nuclear Industry Leaders
Today, the Vice President hosted a group of leaders from the American and international nuclear industry to encourage them to adopt and promote higher nuclear security standards. One day after the President hosted the historic Nuclear Security Summit, over 20 industry leaders from the United States, Argentina, China, France, Japan, South Africa, Russia, South Korea met with the Vice President to discuss how industry could help advance the President's goal of securing all vulnerable nuclear materials in four years.
"We have a chance to build a public-private partnership to ensure Americans and citizens all over the world are safe from a very real nuclear danger," the Vice President said. "We have said from the beginning that the big problems we face cannot be solved by the United States alone. Equally, they cannot be solved by governments alone. We all have to work together."
The Vice President made clear that since roughly half of the world’s nuclear materials are in the hands of industry, public-private cooperation is essential to preventing the spread of nuclear materials to terrorists. The Vice President also challenged the nuclear industry to prepare a set of best practices to be delivered at the Nuclear Security Summit in South Korea in 2012.
Categories: Defense, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security, Office of the Vice President, Statements and Releases, The Vice President Tags:
Readout of the President’s Bilateral Meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel
President Obama and German Chancellor Merkel met on April 13 on the margins of the Nuclear Security Summit. The President values his excellent relationship with Chancellor Merkel, and enjoys consulting with her regularly on issues of mutual interest.
In yesterday’s meeting, the President and the Chancellor discussed a number of important topics, including steps to compel Iran to stop violating its international obligations, continuing work to promote stability in Afghanistan, and the prospects for progress in the Middle East peace process. The President and the Chancellor also talked about the recently completed U.S. Nuclear Posture Review. They reviewed the need for strong cooperation between the United States and the European Union on counterterrorism, and the President underscored the interest of the United States in concluding an agreement with the European Union to resume the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program (TFTP) to help prevent terrorist attacks on the peoples of the United States and Europe. The two leaders also exchanged views on economic issues, including support for Greece’s financial recovery.
Categories: Defense, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary, Statements and Releases, The President Tags:
Readout of the President’s Meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey
President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan met yesterday during the Nuclear Security Summit and affirmed the strategic partnership between their countries. The leaders discussed their joint interest in achieving the nonproliferation goals of the Summit and in ensuring that Iran does not pose a nuclear threat to the world.
The President relayed his continuing support and appreciation for Prime Minister Erdogan’s efforts on normalization of relations with Armenia, and encouraged him to continue forward toward ratification of the protocols for the benefit of future generations.
###
NOTE: Photo Attached of President Barack Obama as he meets with the Prime Minster Erdogan of Turkey during the Nuclear Security Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., April 13, 2010. (Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Categories: Defense, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary, Statements and Releases Tags:
Read-out of President Obama’s Conversation with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan
The President and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, discussed non-proliferation cooperation and important regional and bilateral issues during the opening dinner of the Nuclear Security Summit. They talked about the UAE’s strong commitment to non-proliferation, including the US-UAE Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy Agreement as well as close cooperation on port security. They also spoke about the need for Iran to comply with UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions. The two leaders covered other regional priorities including the need for Israelis and Palestinians to immediately begin proximity talks, leading to direct negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with a two-state solution. In addition, they discussed the broadening cooperation between the U.S. and UAE in areas like energy, science, and entrepreneurship. The President looks forward to hosting several Emiratis at the Washington Entrepreneurship Summit later this month. (Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Categories: Defense, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary, Statements and Releases, The President Tags:
Read-out of President Obama’s discussion with President Sebastian Piñera of Chile
President Obama had the opportunity to engage with Chilean President Sebastian Piñera during the Global Nuclear Security Summit on a range of issues on the bilateral, hemispheric and global agendas. The President thanked President Piñera for Chile’s recently completed removal of all highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Chile and commended Chilean leadership in promoting nuclear non-proliferation and for working with us to achieve a successful Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference next month.
The Presidents agreed to work together to advance respect for shared values, including democratic governance, human rights, economic prosperity, and social inclusion throughout the Americas. Finally, the President renewed the U.S. offer to support Chile’s ongoing recovery efforts following the February 27 earthquake should the Chilean government request further assistance.
NOTE: President Barack Obama talks with President Sebastián Piñera of Chile during the working lunch at the Nuclear Security Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., April 13, 2010. (Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Categories: Defense, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary, Statements and Releases Tags:
Read-out of the President’s discussion with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of The Netherlands
President Obama was pleased to welcome Dutch Prime Minister Jans Peter Balkenende again to Washington. The President thanked Prime Minister Balkenende for his continued friendship and strong leadership on Afghanistan, where Dutch forces are performing with distinction in the NATO mission. The President looks forward to continued close cooperation with Prime Minister Balkenende.
NOTE: Attached is photo of President Barack Obama talking with Prime Minister Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands during the working lunch at the Nuclear Security Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., April 13, 2010. (Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Categories: Defense, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary, Statements and Releases Tags: