On 23 October, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, and U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, met via telephone to discuss a range of issues of common interest in the context of the Transatlantic Partnership.

During the meeting, they launched a new bilateral Dialogue between the European External Action Service and the U.S. Department of State on China. High Representative/Vice President Borrell and Secretary of State Pompeo welcomed the start of this dialogue as a dedicated forum for EU and U.S. experts to discuss the full range of issues related to China.

Secretary Pompeo and High Representative Borrell agreed to continue meetings at the senior official and expert levels on themes including human rights, security, and multilateralism. The next high-level meeting between the Deputy Secretary of State and European External Action Service Secretary General will be held in mid-November 2020.

Secretary Pompeo and High Representative Borrell called on the Belarusian authorities to engage in a meaningful dialogue with genuine representatives of civil society, in particular with the Coordination Council established by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The EU and the United States reiterated their strong support for the independence and sovereignty of Belarus.

The two principals also assessed the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone and urged the immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for the agreed ceasefire. They called upon the sides to re-engage in meaningful negotiations without delay under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The two principals call on all actors, including external parties, to refrain from actions that may increase the risks for the region.