Details of Travel to Middle East and Southeast Asia, December 11-18, 2013

Photos From the Trip» 

Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Jerusalem, Ramallah, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Tacloban, and Manila from Dec. 11-18, 2013.

In Jerusalem, Secretary Kerry met with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss a range of issues including Iran and the ongoing final status negotiations with the Palestinians. In Ramallah, Secretary Kerry met with President Abbas, where he discussed the ongoing final status negotiations, among other issues.

This trip to Asia is his fourth to the region since becoming Secretary of State. Within the Asia-Pacific rebalance, Southeast Asia holds special importance, and the Secretary’s travel to Vietnam and the Philippines demonstrates the enduring U.S. commitment and his personal connections to the region. The Secretary’s visit to Vietnam highlights the dramatic transformation in the bilateral relationship over the years and our growing partnership in many areas.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Secretary Kerry’s meetings underscore the growth of our bilateral trade relationship and the empowering role of education. His visit to the Mekong Delta emphasizes how Americans and Vietnamese can work together on critical issues such as climate change and renewable energy.

In Hanoi, the Secretary met with senior Vietnamese leaders to advance the Comprehensive Partnership announced by President Obama and President Sang in July and to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

Secretary Kerry then traveled to the Philippines, our longtime U.S. friend and ally. In Manila, the Secretary met with senior Philippine officials to discuss ways to build on our already-strong economic, security, and people-to-people relations. Then, the Secretary visited the storm-hit city of Tacloban to witness first-hand the recovery efforts that are taking place there and discuss how the United States can continue to contribute to the relief and reconstruction work.

PHILIPPINES

Remarks

-12/18/13  Remarks at USAID Tacloban;  Secretary of State John Kerry; USAID Tacloban; Tacloban, Philippines
-12/17/13  Meeting With Staff and Families of Embassy Manila;  Secretary of State John Kerry; U.S. Embassy Manila; Manila, Philippines
-12/17/13  Remarks With Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Department of Foreign Affairs; Manila, Philippines
-12/17/13  Remarks at American Chamber of Commerce Business Community Event;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Manila, Philippines

Press Releases

-12/18/13  Typhoon Haiyan – U.S. Government Assistance; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
-12/17/13  U.S. and Philippines Sign MOU on Clark Veterans Cemetery; Washington, DC
-12/17/13  Global Security Contingency Fund Program for the Philippines; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC

VIETNAM

Remarks

-12/16/13  Joint Press Availability With Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Government Guest House; Hanoi, Vietnam
-12/15/13  Interview With Martha Raddatz of ABC’s This Week;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
-12/15/13  Remarks on Climate Change and the Environment;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Kien Vang Market Pier; Mekong Delta, Vietnam
-12/14/13  Meeting With Consulate Ho Chi Minh Staff and Families;  Secretary of State John Kerry; U.S. Consulate Ho Chi Minh City; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
-12/14/13  Remarks to Ho Chi Minh City Business Community and Fulbright Economic Teaching Program Participants;  Secretary of State John Kerry; American Center; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
-12/13/13  Background Briefing En Route Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Office of the Spokesperson; En Route Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Press Releases

-12/15/13  U.S.-Vietnam Cooperation on the Environment; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
-12/16/13  U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
-12/16/13  Expanded U.S. Assistance for Maritime Capacity Building; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC

TEL AVIV

Remarks

-12/13/13  Secretary Kerry’s Press Availability in Tel Aviv;  Secretary of State John Kerry; U.S. Embassy; Tel Aviv, Israel

JERUSALEM

Remarks

-12/13/13  Remarks With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Before Their Meeting;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Jerusalem

SECRETARY’S SCHEDULE

-12/18/13   December 18 – Wednesday
-12/17/13   December 17 – Tuesday
-12/15/13   December 15 – Sunday
-12/14/13   December 14 – Saturday
-12/13/13   December 13 – Friday
-12/12/13   December 12 – Thursday