Deputy Secretary Sullivan at the 2019 G7

David Hale

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan, joined by Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale, concluded two days in Dinard, France, leading the U.S. delegation to the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting offers an opportunity for foreign ministers to seek common ground on political and security issues of mutual concern.

During the working sessions, Deputy Secretary Sullivan joined his G7 colleagues in rebuking Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East, expressing concern about China’s unfair trade practices, calling for a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela, and condemning the deployment of Russian military forces there.

Deputy Secretary Sullivan encouraged G7 partners to consider national security when evaluating telecommunications and infrastructure projects, and G7 representatives collectively committed to increased cooperation to strengthen cybersecurity defenses and deter malicious cyber activity.

In reaction to the increased military action in Libya, G7 representatives issued a joint statement urging the immediate cessation of military activity near Tripoli and reaffirming support for the efforts of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame in assisting Libyans on a path to peace.

At the conclusion of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the United States joined G7 partners in a G7 Foreign Ministers’ Communique.

Source: State department