Posted by DipNote Bloggers on Mar 06, 2009 - 02:29 PM
![Secretary Clinton speaks at a town hall meeting in Brussels, Belgium Mar. 6, 2009. [State Dept.]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0306_intern_2_bh_m.jpg)
When someone thinks about Brussels, waffles, chocolates, NATO and the European Union usually come to mind. Secretary Clinton is likely to hit each of these while she is here (with only the waffles and chocolates being questionable!). Though her main purpose for coming to Brussels was the Foreign Ministers’ meeting at the NATO Headquarters, Secretary Clinton also made a point to speak not only with the current leaders of the European Union, but with the future leaders of Europe as well.
At a town hall meeting in one of the buildings of the European Parliament, the home to the world’s only democratically elected international institution representing…
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Posted by Dana Francis on Mar 06, 2009 - 01:06 PM
![Secretary Clinton, center participates in a town hall in Brussels, Belgium Mar. 6, 2009. [AP]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0306_clinton_youth_bh_m.jpg)
Related Entry: Watch video of young Europeans' reactions to the Secretary's visit.
Secretary Clinton engaged hundreds of young Europeans in a Town Hall meeting March 6 in Brussels, calling modern Europe a “miracle” of peace and prosperity and citing the European Union as a key U.S. partner in facing global challenges. The European Parliament hosted the event for the next generation of potential European leaders, several hundred of whom packed the main room while some 800 others watched a video link in nearby auditoriums.…
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Posted by DipNote Bloggers on Mar 05, 2009 - 06:51 PM
Following today's meeting with NATO foreign ministers, Secretary Clinton said:
"I came here to deliver a clear message: The United States is firmly committed to NATO, and the Obama Administration will work vigorously to renew a real dialogue within this alliance. We look forward to listening, to consulting, and to working in concert to devise and deliver smart…
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Posted by Kurt Volker on Mar 05, 2009 - 01:25 PM
![NATO foreign ministers seen during round table meeting, Brussels, Mar. 5, 2009. [AP]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0305_nato_roundtable_m.jpg)
About the Author: Kurt Volker serves as U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO.
Meetings at NATO can look like a series of speeches at the table by foreign ministers. With the Secretary General and 28 countries at the table, if each one speaks only once for five minutes, it can take nearly 2 ½ hours to discuss one subject. And the reality can be even longer.…
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Posted by Kurt Volker on Mar 05, 2009 - 12:34 PM
![Secretary Clinton surrounded by NATO Foreign Ministers, Brussels, Mar. 5, 2009. [AP Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0305_nato_foreign_mini_m.jpg)
About the Author: Kurt Volker serves as U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO.
It is remarkable – and heart-warming – to see the enthusiastic reception European allies are giving Secretary Clinton at her first meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers. As we entered NATO headquarters this morning, members of the NATO international staff and national delegations…
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