Today, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fact¬ Finding Mission (FFM) issued a report confirming that sarin or a sarin-like chemical weapon was used on April 4, 2017, in Khan Shaykhun, Syria. The FFM’s conclusion is based on a wide range of information, including the results of analysis of biomedical samples taken from the victims and the surrounding environment, and extensive witness interviews.

The FFM report will now be conveyed to the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), the additional independent international expert mechanism established by the UN Security Council, to determine who is responsible for the attack.

The United States strongly supports the FFM and JIM efforts, which have been pursued in an impartial and highly professional manner.

The facts reflect a despicable and highly dangerous record of chemical weapons use by the Assad regime. Through its continued use of chemical weapons and its failure to destroy its chemical weapons program in its entirety, Syria continues to fail to comply with its legal obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and UN Security Council Resolution 2118.

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Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Judith G. Garber has issued Presidential permits for three NuStar Logistics, L.P. pipelines.

The permit for the New Burgos Pipeline authorizes construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of a new pipeline that has the capacity to deliver up to 108,000 barrels per day of certain refined petroleum products. It will cross the U.S.-Mexico border near Peñitas, Texas. New permits for the existing Dos Laredos and existing Burgos pipelines, which cross the border in Texas near Laredo and Peñitas, respectively, reflect a change in the name of the permit holder and authorize transport of a broader range of petroleum products than under the previous Presidential permits.

The Department of State reviewed NuStar Logistics, L.P.’s applications in accordance with Executive Order 13337 (April 30, 2004). As a matter of policy, the Department’s reviews were conducted in a manner consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Department determined with respect to each application that implementation of the proposed project would have no significant direct, indirect, or cumulative effects on the quality of the natural or human environment.

In making her determination with respect to each application that issuance of the respective permit would serve the national interest, the Acting Assistant Secretary considered a range of factors, including but not limited to foreign policy; energy security; environmental, cultural, and economic impacts; and compliance with applicable law and policy. Among other considerations, the Acting Assistant Secretary found that issuance of each of the three Presidential permits would strengthen the bilateral relationship with Mexico and advance the economic and foreign policy interests of the United States.

Additional information concerning these pipeline facilities and documents related to the Department of State’s review of applications for Presidential permits can be found at https://www.state.gov/e/enr/applicant/applicants/.

For further information, please contact Vincent Campos (202) 647-3423 or visit www.state.gov/e/enr. The Bureau of Energy Resources is on Twitter @EnergyAtState.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The Department of State today began releasing this year’s Investment Climate Statements, an annual report that provides economy-specific information and assessments on the investment climate in over 170 foreign markets.

The 2017 reports feature a streamlined format and focused content, reflecting the evolving landscape of investment conditions abroad, and drawing on the unique expertise of the Department’s economic officers working at our embassies and consulates around the world.

The Investment Climate Statements include examples of expanding openness to foreign investment and investor protections, as well as challenges and barriers to investment. Topics include: Openness to Foreign Investment; Legal Regimes and Transparency; Industrial Policies; Protection of Real and Intellectual Property Rights; State-Owned Enterprises; Responsible Business Conduct; Corruption; and Political and Security Environments.

The Investment Climate Statements help U.S. companies make informed decisions on doing business in foreign markets, and in doing so help increase U.S. exports and generate U.S. jobs.

The reports can be viewed at the following link: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/index.htm

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the inauguration of its new Chief Executive, the United States calls on all parties concerned to uphold Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and the crucial ideal of “One Country, Two Systems,” as codified in the Basic Law and the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The United States has deep and abiding economic and cultural ties to Hong Kong, and admires the city’s outstanding achievements, which are the result of its high degree of autonomy, its economic and personal freedoms, and its respect for rule of law. We also value our excellent cooperation with the Hong Kong SAR government, and look forward to building on that cooperation together with the administration of new Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

The United States remains concerned about any infringements of civil liberties in Hong Kong, including intrusions on press freedoms, and we support the further development of Hong Kong’s democratic systems, including the implementation of universal suffrage in accordance with the Basic Law. As Hong Kong looks ahead to its third decade under Chinese sovereignty, we urge the preservation and enhancement of the key values and traditions that had made the city such an enviable success.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.