Secretary Clinton's Remarks with Swedish FM Bildt

Remarks with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt Before Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 29, 2011

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I am delighted to see the Foreign Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt, a long-time friend and colleague to many of us with whom I have the pleasure now of working and consulting on a broad range of issues. Obviously, the relationship between our two countries is strong and enduring, and we work closely together on many other matters, particularly now in Libya, but also in the Balkans and Afghanistan and all through the litany of challenges and opportunities that we face. So it’s great to have you here, Carl.

FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: Great to be here. We have, as the Secretary said, a stellar relationship – (laughter) – between the two countries. We meet fairly regularly at different international meetings, but it’s nice to be able to come here for, sort of, (inaudible) or whatever it is.

There are lots of issues that are on the agenda. Perhaps primarily what we can do together to support the demands for dignity and democracy that we see all over the Arab world where we, Europeans and Americans, are doing whatever we can to support the aspirations of the Arab people. That is most demanding, but also historically a duty that we have.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Very happy to have you here.