Travel to Brussels and Kabul, April 13-15, 2021

Summary

• Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken traveled to Brussels, Belgium, April 13-15. In Brussels, Secretary Blinken joined Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in consulting with our NATO Allies and partners on a range of shared priorities.  The Secretary took this opportunity to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the Transatlantic alliance as a critical partnership for achieving our mutual goals.  Separately, Secretary Blinken held bilateral and multilateral meetings with European counterparts to discuss key priorities and shared challenges.

• On April 15, Secretary Blinken traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan, to meet with Afghan leaders and civil society and affirm the United States’ continued commitment to Afghanistan and its people.  In his meetings, the Secretary emphasized the enduring U.S.-Afghanistan partnership and the United States’ continued support for the people, leaders, and security forces of Afghanistan through a full range of diplomatic tools, including continued development, humanitarian and security assistance.  The Secretary also emphasized the importance of continuing to work toward a negotiated political settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and reiterated full U.S. support for Afghan efforts in support of a peaceful and prosperous future.