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Washington, D.C.—Beginning today, Serbia and Kosovo will hold direct talks for the first time since Kosovo declared independence three years ago. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a statement commending the European Union sponsored talks to address a number of disputed issues, including border...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing this afternoon on “Navigating a Turbulent Global Economy - Implications for the United States.”  Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner testified before the Committee.  Full text of Chairman Kerry’s statement as...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement on the possible removal of Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus as Managing Director of the Grameen Bank, which he founded:  “I am deeply concerned by efforts to remove Muhammad Yunus as managing director of...

Washington, DC – During today’s foreign affairs budget hearing, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) unveiled plans to develop a new package of significant financial assistance to promote democracy and economic transformation in the Arab world. Chairman Kerry stated: “Events this powerful demand a response...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing this morning on national security and the foreign policy priorities in President Obama’s 2012 international affairs budget. Full text of Chairman Kerry’s statement as prepared: Madame Secretary, it is a pleasure to see you again, and...

Washington, D.C. –During this morning’s foreign affairs budget hearing, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) again called for Colonel Moammar Qadhafi to step down and urged consideration of a no-fly zone over Libya.  “We have joined with allies in making clear that Col. Qadhafi must go.  He has...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a statement condemning today’s assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minister for Minority Affairs, outside his home in Islamabad: “Mr. Bhatti was a brave defender of all of Pakistan's religious and ethnic minorities and his death...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing this morning on the troubling developments on the Korean Peninsula and what can be done to break North Korea’s cycle of provocations.  Two panels of witnesses, including Special Representative Stephen Bosworth, Assistant Secretary Kurt...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement to announce Foreign Relations Committee subcommittee chairmanships for the 112th Congress:  “The challenges we face this year are enormous, and we have an outstanding group of subcommittee chairs to tackle the issues...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a report today written by the Committee’s majority staff that draws attention to the growing problem of water scarcity in Central and South Asia and how it has the potential to exacerbate existing regional conflicts and lead to new ones.  The...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement today in response to the attacks on civilians ordered by President Qadhafi: “The Qadhafi government’s use of deadly force against its own people should mean the end of the regime itself.  It's beyond despicable, and...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) condemned the violence in Bahrain today, stating: “Using tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets on peaceful protestors is the worst kind of response to a nonviolent demonstration. I urge the government of Bahrain to put an end to the violence and allow the...

Lahore, Pakistan -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) reaffirmed support for the strategic relationship between Pakistan and the United States today in remarks at a press conference in Lahore, Pakistan. Chairman Kerry arrived in Pakistan Tuesday night for meetings with senior government officials at a time when the...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued a statement today following the announcement that President Hosni Mubarak resigned: “This is an extraordinary moment for Egypt. Courageous and peaceful demands for freedom and opportunity have now won the Egyptian people a chance at a new beginning....

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), who made three trips to Sudan in recent months, said North and South Sudan passed two major milestones today with the certification of referendum results on independence for the South and the North’s recognition of the outcome. He also said the time...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Responding to the rising violence in Egypt, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution, S. Res. 44, calling on President Hosni Mubarak to immediately begin an orderly...

Washington, DC -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today after attending a ceremony at the White House at which President Obama signed the instrument of ratification for the New START Treaty. “The new treaty represents an important milestone in arms control agreements between the...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement after President Mubarak announced that he will not run for reelection:   “This was an important announcement by President Mubarak to bring his presidency to an end and pledge that free and fair elections will be...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released a staff report raising questions about the ability of the United States to protect its thousands of diplomats and contractors in Iraq once U.S. troops complete their withdrawal at the end of 2011.  The report, “Iraq: The Transition From A...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote an op-ed on the situation in Egypt that appears in The New York Times today.  The full text of the op-ed below:   Allying Ourselves With the Next Egypt By John Kerry EVEN if the protests shaking Egypt subside in the coming days,...