SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our third U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue. We’re spending a lot of time together these days, which is glorious.
On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I congratulate the people of Nicaragua as you celebrate your 199th Independence Day.
“No policy,” said Charles de Gaulle, “is worth anything outside of reality. That maxim guides the United States’ policy regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran. We recognize the regime for what it is: the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and the primary source of instability in the Middle East. I believe our friends in France perceive Tehran’s true nature, too. The question is whether France is willing to join us to stand up to Iran and secure peace and regional stability.
Serbia’s announcement that it will designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization in its entirety is another significant step limiting this Iranian backed terrorist group’s ability to operate in Europe.
On behalf of the United States, I congratulate Mauricio Claver-Carone on his election as President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In his role at the National Security Council, Mr. Claver-Carone has been a visionary leader in advancing prosperity in the Western Hemisphere and a strong advocate for the democratic institutions and security cooperation that underpin economic growth and development.
The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation, and acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Hanif Atmar, and members of the inclusive national team representing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, on the historic occasion of the start of Afghanistan peace negotiations
I want to offer my thanks to his excellency the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar and my friend, Sheikh Mohammed, for Qatar’s amazing longstanding support for this effort. We wouldn’t be at this moment without all the work that you and your team have done. Bless you for that.
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke yesterday with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Taliban Political Deputy and Head of the Political Office Mullah Beradar and members of the Taliban negotiating team in Doha, Qatar, on the historic occasion of the start of peace negotiations.
On the 19th anniversary of 9/11, we usher in a new era of peace. It’s humbling when the course of history changes seemingly overnight. In less than one month, under President Trump’s leadership, we have another historic agreement, this time between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain.