Moderator: The State Department’s interactive virtual press briefing platform. I am delighted to welcome participants joining us today from around Europe and across the globe.
On February 5, Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo in Washington. They discussed areas for increased bilateral cooperation, including promoting economic prosperity, security, democracy, and human rights.
We, the Ministers, Secretaries General, and Heads of Delegations of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, met in Washington today at the invitation of United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to review the significant progress of the past year against ISIS and to discuss the next stage in the campaign to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. We continue to welcome new members joining the Coalition over the past year, recognizing the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), Guinea, Kenya, Fiji, and The Philippines. Together we remain firmly united in our outrage at ISIS’s atrocities and in our determination to eliminate this global threat and overcome its false, destructive narrative.
Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and my fellow Americans:
We meet tonight at a moment of unlimited potential. As we begin a new Congress, I stand here ready to work with you to achieve historic breakthroughs for all Americans.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen released the following statement on the new migrant ‘caravan’ that arrived at the Southern Border of the United States:
“Approximately 2,000 aliens have arrived in northern Mexico as part of a 'caravan' seeking to cross our Southern Border into Texas.
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Sedat Onal met February 5 in Washington, D.C. to launch working groups on bilateral and regional affairs. They reaffirmed the strategic importance of the U.S.-Turkish relationship and committed to addressing shared concerns as allies.
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr will travel to Slovakia and Belgium February 5–7.
I am proud to announce the appointment of Elan S. Carr as the United States Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.
Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Afghanistan’s President Ghani to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to achieving a lasting peace in Afghanistan. The Secretary underscored Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad’s role in facilitating an inclusive peace process.
The United States congratulates Nayib Bukele on his election as the next president of the Republic of El Salvador. We salute the Salvadoran people for their commitment to democracy and their participation in a successful election.
