Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Liz Allen will travel to Norway, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic from October 27 through November 3, 2023, to deepen transatlantic cooperation on shared priorities - including our support for Ukraine amidst Russia's war of aggression, security in the Arctic and Black Sea regions, and countering foreign malign influence.
In Tromsø, Norway, Under Secretary Allen will attend the opening ceremony of the American Presence Post, the United States' northernmost diplomatic post, and meet with Norwegian State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson and Tromsø Mayor Gunnar Wilhelmsen. Her trip will underscore how the United States is working with Norway to enhance security, champion sustainable development, and combat climate change in the Arctic, as laid out in the President's Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region.
In Sofia, Bulgaria, Under Secretary Allen will meet with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel to advance our partnership on addressing information manipulation and broader efforts to bolster our bilateral ties as we mark 120 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Bulgaria. While in Sofia, she also will launch a nearly $900,000 U.S. government-funded program, in collaboration with the Poynter Institute, to advance media literacy. To demonstrate support for NATO ally Bulgaria and solidarity with Ukraine, she will also travel to the coastal city of Varna to discuss Black Sea security issues with Bulgarian Naval leadership and visit a U.S.-supported center assisting displaced Ukrainian refugees.
Finally, in Prague, Czech Republic, Under Secretary Allen will meet with Czech officials and participate in the Transatlantic Policy Forum. Her conversations will focus on our strong partnership with the Czech Republic in support of Ukraine, the ongoing crisis between Israel and Hamas, and countering foreign malign influence. She will also meet with journalists at the headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, speak with students at Charles University, and participate in a roundtable discussion with Czech women foreign policy leaders.
