Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon met today with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak to follow up on recent conversations between Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, and to address the upcoming meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin. Under Secretary Shannon and Ambassador Kislyak also discussed scheduling a new meeting between Under Secretary Shannon and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov, as well as ongoing efforts to address issues of mutual concern in our bilateral relationship.

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On behalf of the American people, best wishes to the people of Belarus celebrating Independence Day.

The United States remains committed to working with the government and people of Belarus to support the country’s sovereignty and independence, increasing respect for democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms, and promoting a thriving economy. Through continued diplomatic and people-to-people engagement, the United States and Belarus will work to advance the common interests of our two countries. ‎

As we mark this important day, I wish the Belarusian people a peaceful and prosperous year to come.

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External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, congratulations to the people of Burundi on the 55th anniversary of your independence.

We applaud Burundi’s ongoing commitment to international peacekeeping operations and recognize the positive impact its troops have had in Somalia.

The United States stands with all Burundians committed to peace and prosperity. As you reflect on your history and address the challenges of today, we send best wishes for a bright future.

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 behalf of the United States, best wishes on the occasion of Somalia’s 57th Independence Day.

Over the past four years, the Somali people have made an earnest effort to turn the tide toward a more stable path. We commend the Federal Government of Somalia for the advances made in the political process and security sector reform, as well as for its efforts to meet the urgent needs of its people caused by the ongoing drought. We hope the government will complete the constitutional review and lay the groundwork for a resilient country with a durable federal structure. A spirit of reconciliation must undergird this state-building process as Somalia moves forward to reclaim a brighter future.

The United States looks forward to strengthening our partnership with a Somalia that is advancing toward a more peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future.

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 behalf of the Government of the United States of America, congratulations to the Canadian people on Canada Day and the 150th anniversary of your Confederation.

The United States and Canada enjoy the most extensive and most integrated economic relationship of any two nations in the world. The almost 400,000 people and some $1.7 billion worth of goods and services that cross our border every day are a testament to the strength of our shared economies. We value the strong business ties between Canada and the United States. We will continue to work with Canada to strengthen and develop those ties even further.

Our relationship goes beyond economics. We are neighbors, partners, allies, and friends, working together to address opportunities and challenges here in North America and around the globe. Our shared values of freedom, democracy, and inclusion serve as beacons of hope to people throughout the world.

Our histories and cultures are inextricably intertwined, and we look forward to the opportunities our shared future will present.

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.