Weekly Diplomacy Feature: Austria
A country with a rich cultural history and known for mountainous landscapes and strong ties with the rest of Europe, Austria is the host to the OSCE and OPEC and is a founding member of the OECD and Interpol. Austria also aids in successfully integrating a number of countries in the region into the European Union, and shares many ties with the US - including in business, culture, arts, education, and more. Austria and the US are partners in promoting global security, strengthening economic cooperation, and collaborating to promote and defend shared values around the world.
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie D. Jenkins travelled to Austria last week to lead the US delegation for the first Review Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. The Convention aimed to strengthen international peace and security by providing an international framework for the physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes. This conference gave an opportunity for all 164 countries of the Convention to exchange information on best practices, challenges to implementation, and lessons learned, and to continue momentum toward universalization of the treaty.
Weekly Diplomacy Feature: Belgium
A key player on the international stage, Belgium has a long history of diplomacy across the globe. As a member of numerous international organizations and host to both the EU and NATO headquarters, Belgium works closely with its partners to encourage economic and political cooperation and provide assistance to developing countries.
On March 6th, Sec Blinken traveled to Brussels, where he participated in a NATO Foreign Ministerial, meet with EU counterparts, participated in a G7 Ministerial Meeting, and held additional meetings with partners discussing the global response to Russia’s invasion. The Secretary will continue on to Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to strengthen NATO ties and work with allies to discuss efforts to receive and assist refugees.
On March 6th, Sec Blinken traveled to Brussels, where he participated in a NATO Foreign Ministerial, meet with EU counterparts, participated in a G7 Ministerial Meeting, and held additional meetings with partners discussing the global response to Russia’s invasion. The Secretary will continue on to Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to strengthen NATO ties and work with allies to discuss efforts to receive and assist refugees.