Travel to France, Turkey, Georgia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, November 13-23, 2020

Summary

• Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo traveled to France, Turkey, Georgia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia November 13 – 23.

• In Paris, the Secretary met with President Macron, Foreign Minister Le Drian, and other senior officials to build on our transatlantic work on economic and security matters, and on counterterrorism and global threats.

• Following Paris, Secretary Pompeo traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, to meet with His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, to discuss religious issues in Turkey and the region and to promote our strong stance on religious freedom around the world.

• The Secretary’s last stop in Europe was Tbilisi, Georgia, to meet with President Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Gakharia, and Foreign Minister Zalkaliani, to express our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to urge further progress in democratic reforms. He also met with the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Ilia II.

• The Secretary traveled to Israel where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Abraham Accords and our joint efforts to address Iran’s malign activities.

• Next, he traveled to the United Arab Emirates and met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayd to discuss security cooperation and regional issues.

• He then traveled to Qatar to meet with Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including the importance of Gulf unity.

• The Secretary’s final stop was Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.