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Blinken Heads to Europe to Boost Alliances

VOA News

   U.S. Secretary of State AntonyBlinkenarrives inBrusselsMondayfor
   meetings this week that the State Department says are aimed at boosting
   ties withthe North American Treaty Organization (NATO)allies and
   partnering on issues such as climate change,counterterrorismandongoing
   efforts in combatingthe coronavirus pandemic.

   Blinkenis scheduled to take part in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers
   Tuesday and Wednesday, and to also hold talks with NATO'sSecretary
   General Jens Stoltenberg.

   "It'll be an opportunity for thesecretary and the foreign ministers to
   discuss the NATO 2030 initiative," Acting Assistant Secretary Philip
   Reeker for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs told reporters
   ahead ofBlinken'strip."Proposals under that[2030 initiative]for
   alliance adaptation, concerns over China and Russia, as well as climate
   change, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, combating terrorism, energy
   security--clearly the global pandemic enters into this, and othercommon
   challengesthat we face together."
   Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO
   headquarters during the move to the new building, March 18, 2021.

   After four years of foreign policy under former President Donald Trump
   that focused only onprioritizing U.S. interests, Reeker saidBlinkenwill
   deliver a speech in Brussels outlining a commitment to "rebuilding and
   revitalizing alliances" while highlighting the importance of NATO.

   "We know we're stronger and better able to overcome challenges when we
   face them together, and we're going to modernize our alliances, mend
   them as needed, and deal with the world as we face it," Reeker said.

   Blinken'sitinerary also includes a meeting with European Commission
   President Ursula von der Leyen andEuropean Union's(EU)foreign policy
   chiefJosepBorrell.The State Department said agenda items include
   economic recovery efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic and
   addressing "global challenges that come from Iran, Russia and China."

   Specifically,regardingIran, Reeker said the top U.S. diplomat will
   consult with EU colleaguesaboutthe prospects of the United States and
   Iran mutually returning to the agreement signed in 2015 that limited
   Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctionsrelief.Both the United
   States, which left the deal under Trump in 2018, and Iran, which
   responded by taking steps away from its commitments, have expressed a
   willingness toobservethe agreement once again, but each has signaled
   the other side should start first.

   The final part ofBlinken'strip agenda isbilateral talks with
   BelgianDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
   SophieWilmès.

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