Remarks With Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt Before Their Meeting
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateTreaty RoomWashington, DCMay 5, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, what a pleasure to welcome the foreign minister of Sweden, who has been at the forefront of politics, both in Sweden and globally, for so many years. It’s a delight to have him. We have a great relationship with Sweden. We have had so many important issues that we have tackled together. Sweden will assume the presidency of the European Union, which will give an even greater emphasis to the leadership that Sweden shows on so many global concerns. And I’m just delighted that the minister could be here.
FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: And I’m delighted to be here. Glad to see you. We’ve seen each other a couple of times already.
SECRETARY CLINTON: We have. We have.
FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: And we have a spectacularly good bilateral relationship. But we also have, I think, one of the, or probably the most fruitful (inaudible) transatlantic relationship that I think we’ve had in living memory of an open and very constructive dialogue on what is, by all standards, an extremely challenging mutual agenda, where we need to move together on a lot of these issues. We’ve had x-numbers of meetings. There will be more. And as said, Sweden will be assuming the presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year, and the further strengthening of transatlantic cooperation, partnership, and dialogue on all sorts of issues will be very high up on our agenda.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Indeed.
FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: So that will (inaudible) --
SECRETARY CLINTON: So welcome.
FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you all very much.
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Remarks With Kazakh Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin Before Their Meeting
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateTreaty RoomWashington, DCMay 5, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I am very pleased to welcome to the State Department the minister for foreign affairs from Kazakhstan. We have a lot of good work going on between the United States and Kazakhstan. I will explore with the minister some additional ways that we can cooperate. And we’re very appreciative of the support that has been given to the United States in a number of areas. I had a memorable visit to Kazakhstan some years ago, and I am very, very much looking forward to our discussions. Thank you for being here, Mr. Minister.
FOREIGN MINISTER TAZHIN: Thank you very much indeed. First of all, it’s a great honor and pleasure for me to have possibility to meet with you in State Department. Thanks. I remember one phrase that was said many years ago here in Washington, that foreign relations like human relations; they are endless, and usually the solution of one problem leads to another one. But fortunately, we have not any serious problems in relations between United States and Kazakhstan. And I hope, thanks to your activities, thanks to our joint activity, the relations between Kazakhstan and United States will be even more constructive, more stable, and more fruitful. So thank you very much again.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, sir.
FOREIGN MINISTER TAZHIN: Thank you.
Remarks With Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov Before Their Meeting
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateTreaty RoomWashington, DCMay 5, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, this afternoon, we have a great privilege of welcoming to the State Department the minister for foreign affairs of Azerbaijan. We have a very close relationship on many important issues. Today, we’re going to discuss how we can expand and deepen that relationship. I’m delighted that the minister could come so early in the Obama Administration so that we could begin these discussions.
As you know, Azerbaijan has a very strategic location that is one that is important not only to their country, but really, regionally and globally. And so they’re in a position to take increasing responsibility and leadership on these important matters.
Welcome, Mr. Minister.
FOREIGN MINISTER MAMMADYAROV: Thank you very much, Madame Secretary. I just want to add a few words. It’s a great pleasure to be back in Washington and back to State Department. I’m appreciative for this invitation. And I am absolutely sure that this meeting will move forward the strategic partnership which exists between Azerbaijan and United States. And I am ready to discuss all the issues of mutual interest; in our mind, it’s global or it’s regional or it’s bilateral.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Excellent.
FOREIGN MINISTER MAMMADYAROV: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Minister. Thank you all.
Remarks With Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian Before Their Meeting
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateTreaty RoomWashington, DCMay 5, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good morning, and it’s a great pleasure to welcome the foreign minister here today. The relationship between the United States and Armenia is a very lasting and durable one. The Obama Administration is committed to broadening it, deepening it, working with Armenia to assist them in their continued development and aspirations. And it’s a great pleasure to welcome the minister. And I look forward to our talks, sir.
FOREIGN MINISTER NALBANDIAN: Thank you, Madame Secretary. Thank you very much for your warm welcome. Our meeting is a good opportunity to move forward our bilateral agenda and to discuss a wide range of issues. We are determined to strengthen, to deepen, to enhance our friendly partnership with the United States. This is the main message of my visit to Washington. And I would like to use this opportunity to express our thanks to the Administration of the United States, to Madame Secretary, and to the State Department for all constant efforts to help to support the normalization process with Turkey and settlement – peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: It’s an honor to assist. Thank you, Mr. Minister.
FOREIGN MINISTER NALBANDIAN: Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.
RESIST, INSIST, PERSIST, ENLIST.” - HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Hillary Clinton's Bilaterals Today
