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Regional Affairs

Joint Statement of the U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

The text of the following statement was released by the governments of the United States of America and of the Philippines on the occasion of the U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.


Regional Affairs

U.S. – Taiwan Working Group Meeting on International Organizations

On April 10, 2023, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) convened representatives of the U.S. Department of State and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies for consultations in Washington on expanding Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system and in other international forums.


Regional Affairs

On the Sentencing of Human Rights Defenders Xu and Ding

The United States condemns the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) unjust detention and sentencing of human rights defenders Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi.


Regional Affairs

Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink on the Secretary’s Upcoming Travel to Vietnam and Japan

Hey, good afternoon, everybody, and thank you so much for joining us today for this press preview call on the Secretary’s travel to Ireland, where of course he’ll be accompanying the President, but then on to his own programming in Vietnam and then Japan for the G7 Foreign Ministers Ministerial.


Regional Affairs

Secretary Blinken’s Trip to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Vietnam, and Japan

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Vietnam, and Japan, April 11-18, 2023.


Regional Affairs

Burma New Year 2023 – Thingyan Festival

On behalf of the people and Government of the United States of America, I convey my best wishes to and solidarity with the people of Burma as they mark Burma’s New Year, Thingyan.


Regional Affairs

Under Secretary Zeya’s Remarks at an Interfaith Iftar in Bratislava Slovakia

Dobrý večer. Ambassador Rana, Chair Hasna, Deputy Speaker Grendell, Mayor Vallo, excellencies, and dear guests, thank you for inviting me to this interfaith Iftar.


Regional Affairs

Sudan: Travel Advisory Remains Level 4 – Do Not Travel

Release: On April 22, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended its operations, and the Department of State ordered the departure of U.S. direct hire employees and eligible family members due to the continued threat of armed conflict in Sudan. The Department continues to advise U.S. citizens not to travel to Sudan. This replaces the previous Travel Advisory issued on April 19, 2023.


Regional Affairs

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Lu’s Travel to the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan

Release: Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan on April 22-27. Assistant Secretary Lu will lead a U.S. delegation to build on the Secretary’s successful travel to the region in February, discuss a wide range of shared interests, and strengthen regional ties to create a more connected and prosperous Central Asia.


Regional Affairs

Joint Press Statement on the 3rd United States-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue

Release: The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Thailand on the occasion of the third United States-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue.


Regional Affairs

On the Announcement of an Eid al-Fitr Ceasefire in Sudan

Release: I welcome the announcements by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces that they intend to abide by a three-day Eid al-Fitr ceasefire. I spoke with General Burhan and General Hemedti yesterday, following on our previous conversations, and urged them both to commit to and abide by a ceasefire during this period.



Regional Affairs

United States – Iceland Strategic Dialogue

Release: The United States and Iceland held the annual U.S.-Iceland Strategic Dialogue today in Washington, D.C., led by Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Kami Witmer, Office of the Secretary of Defense Principal Director for Europe and NATO Policy Andrew Winternitz, Vice-Permanent ...


Regional Affairs

Sanctioning Three Nicaraguan Judges Involved in Depriving Nicaraguans of Their Basic Right to Citizenship

Release: The United States is taking further action to hold accountable perpetrators of the Nicaraguan regime’s repressive actions. The United States is imposing sanctions on the Nicaraguan judges who played a role in stripping over 300 Nicaraguans of their citizenship, leaving many of these individuals stateless.


Regional Affairs

Secretary Blinken’s Diplomacy to Arrange an Eid al-Fitr Ceasefire in Sudan

Release: The following is attributable to Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson.


Regional Affairs

Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Búcaro

Release: The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.


Regional Affairs

United States Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Military Procurement Network

Release: The United States remains firmly committed to taking action to disrupt Iran’s military programs and its procurement networks. We are designating elements of Iran’s military procurement network - one individual and six entities. These elements based in Iran, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Malaysia...




Regional Affairs

Sanctioning Three Nicaraguan Judges for Depriving Nicaraguans of Their Basic Right to Citizenship

Release: The United States is taking further action to hold accountable perpetrators of the Nicaraguan regime’s repressive actions. The United States is imposing sanctions on the Nicaraguan judges who played a role in stripping over 300 Nicaraguans of their citizenship, leaving many of these individuals stateless.