By The White House

President Obama met with African Union Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday, June 29th. The President congratulated Chairperson Dlamini-Zuma on the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) /African Union, and expressed U.S. commitment to broaden and deepen the U.S. – African Union partnership. President Obama commended the African Union’s leadership on regional peace and security, including its vital work to resolve the conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and Mali. The President also underscored the importance of the African Union’s leadership in advancing development and democratic norms across the continent. The leaders also discussed shared interest in empowering women and youth, expanding trade and investment, and creating broad-based prosperity for people across the African continent.

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, good evening, everyone. President Zuma, Madam Zuma, distinguished guests, thank you for your incredible hospitality. When I was last here, as a Senator, my entourage was a little smaller. (Laughter.) By that I mean no entourage. (Laughter.) The Speaker just helpfully showed me a photograph of me and him from that first visit and pointed out that I had no gray hair in the photo — (laughter) — and that the years had taken their toll.

I also want to thank President Zuma’s staff for making my staff feel much better, because this is not the first time that a President has come to the podium without notes — (laughter) — that were supposed to be there. And they are greatly relieved that that does not only happen to them. (Laughter.)

Traveling to South Africa the first time was different because part of the thing about not having an entourage is it meant I could go take walks on the streets of Johannesburg and Soweto and Cape Town. And that’s how you truly get to appreciate a country — the small interactions with shopkeepers or people who were willing to give you some directions. And I’ve never forgotten the beauty of this country, the warmth of its people. And tonight, I am reminded of that again, and Michelle and I can’t thank you enough.

I will not speak long. I have spoken enough today; I know Michelle hardly agrees. (Laughter.) I will be giving another speech tomorrow about what this nation represents to me and about the future that I believe that we can build together.

I’m told that there’s a word, a concept, that has come to define the way many South Africans see themselves and each other. And I’m not sure it translates easily into English. But it’s the recognition that, here on Earth, we’re bound together in ways that are sometimes invisible to the eye; that there is a basic oneness to our humanity. It’s the belief that we can only achieve true excellence and our full potential by sharing ourselves with other, by caring for those around us. I believe you call it Ubuntu. (Applause.)

And we feel that spirit tonight. We feel it in the lives of all those — including President Zuma — who endured the prisons and the beatings to end an unjust system so that we might stand here today in a free South Africa. And to President Zuma, and to all of you who participated in that struggle, the world will always remember your sacrifice. It’s a sacrifice that resonated in the United States in the same way that the U.S. civil rights movement helped to create bonds of solidarity with those in South Africa who were seeking their freedom.

We feel that spirit in the bonds between our two peoples that …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

3:48 P.M. SAST

MS. MABUSE: You guys are an amazing crowd. Good afternoon, and welcome to the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus. My name is Nkepile Mabuse and I will be the moderator this afternoon.

I really do hope that the strong significance and symbolism of what is happening here in Soweto today does not escape you. There really are no two occasions in recent time that have had a more profound impact on the African people than when Nelson Mandela walked out of prison a free man in 1990, and of course, the election of Barack Obama in 2008.

Now, these two men are politicians and their legacies will be judged by history. But there’s absolutely no doubt that these two developments in history have had a profound impact on the African continent. They have brought hope in Africa, and also began the process of restoring pride and dignity in the African people.

Now, as I speak to you and as you all know, President Nelson Mandela is lying in hospital, critically ill. The euphoria that engulfed this continent when President Obama was elected is fading, but in this room — look around you — is Africa’s brand new hope. These young people are doing amazing things in their communities. They have already been identified as leaders, and leaders who are committed to serving others and not themselves.

Exactly 37 years ago this month, young school children here in Soweto braved Apartheid bullets, fighting for freedom. It’s no coincidence that a new generation of young people is here today. And like the ’76 generation, they refuse to conform, but are inspired to transform their world.

When President Obama launched the Young African Leaders Initiative in 2010, he described them as the Africa that is overlooked. Well, at this moment the world can see and hear you. President Obama will come here, address you and then engage you. We will take a question here in South Africa before we cross to Kenya, Uganda and then Lagos, Nigeria. When the President selects you, please, be proud. Introduce yourselves and ask a short, sharp, smart question. (Laughter.)

As a fellow African, I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping hope alive in Africa. Please join me in welcoming onstage the 44th President of the United States of America Barack Obama. (Applause.)

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Hello, everybody! (Applause.) Yebo Mzansi! (Applause.) Oh, it is wonderful to be back in South Africa. Everybody have a seat, everybody have a seat. Relax. Yes, I’m excited, too. (Applause.)

It is wonderful to be here with all these extraordinary young people — young people from across this magnificent country, but also from all across the continent. And I want to give special thanks and …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

______________________________________________________________________________

EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:00 AM ET, SATURDAY, June 29, 2013

MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: Cecilia Muñoz on the President’s Climate Action Plan and the passage of commonsense immigration reform in the Senate

In this week’s message, Cecilia Muñoz spoke about the President’s Climate Action Plan to confront the growing threat of a changing climate. She also discussed the Senate’s vote to pass commonsense immigration reform and the need to make sure Congress finishes the job.

The audio of the address and video of the message is available online HERE.

Remarks by Cecilia Muñoz

Message from the White House

June 29, 2013

Hi, everybody. This week the President unveiled the national Climate Action Plan which will reduce carbon pollution and protect our country from the impacts of climate change, and lead the world in a coordinated assault on a changing climate..

Carbon pollution contributes to a higher risk of asthma attacks, which disproportionately affects the Latino community according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Carbon pollution also contributes to more frequent and severe storms, floods, heat waves, and wildfires, driving up food prices and threatening our communities.

We have a moral obligation to leave our children a planet that’s not polluted or damaged and the President’s plan is a comprehensive approach to cutting the pollution that causes climate change and threatens public health.

This week we also made strides to leave our children a better America with the passage of the Senate’s commonsense immigration reform bill.

With a strong bipartisan vote, the Senate delivered for the American people, bringing us a critical step closer to fixing our broken immigration system.

This commonsense reform is consistent with the key principles the President laid out.

It would continue to strengthen security at our borders. And it would make sure that businesses and workers are all playing by the same rules. It establishes a pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million individuals here illegally and modernizes our legal immigration system.

The Senate has set the stage and has done its job, now it’s up to the House to do the same. We are in a unique position to fix our system, and although there are opponents of the reform who are going to try and prevent it, we cannot let that happen.

Throughout our history, immigration has only strengthened our country. We need to make sure we leave America a better place for our children and we need Congress to finish the job.

Thank you and have a great weekend,

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of South Dakota and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornado, and flooding during the period of May 24-31,2013.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornado, and flooding in the counties of Bennett, Corson, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Union, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation within Bennett County.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Tribes within the state.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gary R. Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Since coming into office in 2009, President Obama has made global food security a foreign policy priority. At last year’s Camp David G-8 Summit, President Obama joined with other G-8 leaders, African heads of state, the African Union and private sector leaders in launching the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, with an ambitious pledge to lift 50 million people out of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa by 2022.

Over the last year, the President also welcomed the commitment of the American people to food security and improved nutrition — U.S. based non-governmental organizations themselves pledged more than $1 billion over three years in private funding for food security activities globally, and $750 million over five years for nutrition programs, including those aimed at supporting children in the critical 1,000 days from a woman's pregnancy to her child's second birthday.

New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition

The New Alliance combines policy reforms, targeted assistance and private sector investments to fuel the growth of Africa’s agriculture economies, link smallholder farmers to markets, increase incomes and improve nutrition. During its first year, private sector companies – small and large, from Africa and around the world – signed letters of intent to invest more than $3.7 billion in New Alliance countries, and the number of countries participating tripled as founding New Alliance partners Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania welcomed first Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Mozambique and then Benin, Malawi, and Nigeria. Each of these countries has negotiated rigorous Country Cooperation Frameworks for accelerating investment that set forth policy reforms, private investment intentions, and donor commitments to align predictable assistance flows behind recipient country priorities. Senegal is slated to join the New Alliance in the fall of 2013.

Country Progress: New Alliance countries have already made significant progress. Ghana Nuts, once a recipient of U.S. Government development assistance, is now a leading agro processor and signed a letter of intent under the New Alliance to promote soya and expand maize procurement and processing in Ghana. The Government of Tanzania’s decision this year to end a longstanding export ban on maize, rice and other crops will help rural farmers collect fair prices for their harvests. In Ethiopia, DuPont has opened a state-of-the-art seed processing plant and warehouse that will help 35,000 smallholder maize farmers increase their yields by as much as 50 percent. And just eight months after officially joining the New Alliance in September 2012, Mozambique, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso have also begun implementing key policy reforms to improve efficiency and transparency and boost the incomes of smallholders employed throughout the agriculture sector.

Private Investment: More than 70 global and local companies have committed to invest over $3.7 billion in these first six countries to, for example, increase smallholder incomes by expanding seed production and distribution, establish small-scale irrigation systems, and source local food for national, regional, and global supply chains. A recent report by Grow Africa, an African-led, multi-stakeholder initiative jointly convened by the African Union, NEPAD …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

I congratulate President Ts. Elbegdorj on his success in the election held on Wednesday in Mongolia. President Elbegdorj has been an important leader in advancing democracy and freedom in his country and a key partner for the United States in Asia and globally. I look forward to working with him to further strengthen the friendship and ties between our two countries. Through its impressive democratic achievements and its progress on economic liberalization, Mongolia serves as a significant example of positive reform and transformation for peoples around the world.

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Celebration of the Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union in Zagreb on June 30, 2013.

The Honorable Kenneth H. Merten, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, will lead the delegation.

Member of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Philip T. Reeker, Ambassador, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

EXECUTIVE ORDER

– – – – – – –

ESTABLISHING THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL
ON NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote and sustain prosperous and resilient Native American tribal governments, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. The United States recognizes a government-to-government relationship, as well as a unique legal and political relationship, with federally recognized tribes. This relationship is set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, administrative rules and regulations, and judicial decisions. Honoring these relationships and respecting the sovereignty of tribal nations is critical to advancing tribal self-determination and prosperity.

As we work together to forge a brighter future for all Americans, we cannot ignore a history of mistreatment and destructive policies that have hurt tribal communities. The United States seeks to continue restoring and healing relations with Native Americans and to strengthen its partnership with tribal governments, for our more recent history demonstrates that tribal self-determination — the ability of tribal governments to determine how to build and sustain their own communities — is necessary for successful and prospering communities. We further recognize that restoring tribal lands through appropriate means helps foster tribal self-determination.

This order establishes a national policy to ensure that the Federal Government engages in a true and lasting government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes in a more coordinated and effective manner, including by better carrying out its trust responsibilities. This policy is established as a means of promoting and sustaining prosperous and resilient tribal communities. Greater engagement and meaningful consultation with tribes is of paramount importance in developing any policies affecting tribal nations.

To honor treaties and recognize tribes' inherent sovereignty and right to self-government under U.S. law, it is the policy of the United States to promote the development of prosperous and resilient tribal communities, including by:

(a) promoting sustainable economic development, particularly energy, transportation, housing, other infrastructure, entrepreneurial, and workforce development to drive future economic growth and security;

(b) supporting greater access to, and control over, nutrition and healthcare, including special efforts to confront historic health disparities and chronic diseases;

(c) supporting efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of tribal justice systems and protect tribal communities;

(d) expanding and improving lifelong educational opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives, while respecting demands for greater tribal control over tribal education, consistent with Executive Order 13592 of December 2, 2011 (Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities); and

(e) protecting tribal lands, environments, and natural resources, and promoting respect for tribal cultures.

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is established the White House Council on Native American Affairs (Council). The Council shall improve coordination of Federal programs and the use of resources available to tribal communities.

Sec. 3. Membership. (a) The Secretary of the Interior shall serve as the Chair of the Council, which shall also include the heads of the following executive departments, agencies, and offices:

(i) …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Today I am proud to announce my intention to renominate General Marty Dempsey as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Sandy Winnefeld as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. These two superb officers have led our military and their families with great distinction, deep conviction, and absolute integrity over the past two years and I am confident in saying that our nation is safer and more secure today because of their visionary, dedicated, and tireless leadership.

General Dempsey often talks about trust as the foundational quality of the profession of arms — trust between leaders, those they lead, the institutions they represent, and the Nation they serve. These two distinguished military leaders have earned my trust and that of the American people. I am inspired by their dedicated service to our great nation and the example they set for our women and men in uniform. I urge the Senate to re-confirm these outstanding officers as swiftly as possible

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

President Obama spoke by phone yesterday with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey. The President and Prime Minister discussed developments in Syria, including the regime’s use of chemical weapons against its own people, our shared commitment to pursuing a political solution, the need to provide additional support to the Syrian Coalition and the Supreme Military Council to improve their effectiveness, and the importance of close bilateral cooperation on contingency planning and counterterrorism efforts. The Prime Minister also described the situation in Turkey. The two leaders discussed the importance of nonviolence and of the rights to free expression and assembly and a free press.

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

On World Refugee Day, the United States stands with the more than 45 million people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and political violence.

This year, I want especially to thank countries and communities working to meet the needs of those who have fled the ongoing violence in Syria. In word and deed, countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt have taken on extraordinary burdens as they host people displaced by horrific violence. We are grateful for their generosity, and pleased to support their efforts in addressing this humanitarian crisis.

Today, we reaffirm our commitment to working with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and our partners and Allies to protect and assist all those displaced as they work to rebuild their lives in peace and dignity.

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the emergency declared in Executive Order 13617 of June 25, 2012, with respect to the disposition of Russian highly enriched uranium is to continue in effect beyond June 25, 2013.

The risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13617 with respect to the disposition of Russian highly enriched uranium.

BARACK OBAMA

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

NOTICE
– – – – – – –
CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT
TO THE DISPOSITION OF RUSSIAN HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM

On June 25, 2012, by Executive Order 13617, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation.

Full implementation of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons, dated February 18, 1993, and related contracts and agreements (collectively, the “HEU Agreements”) is essential to the attainment of U.S. national security and foreign policy goals. Assets of the Government of the Russian Federation directly related to the implementation of the HEU Agreements may be subject to attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process, thereby jeopardizing the full implementation of the HEU Agreements to the detriment of U.S. national security and foreign policy. In order to ensure the preservation and proper and complete transfer to the Government of the Russian Federation of all payments due to it under the HEU Agreements, in Executive Order 13617 I ordered the blocking of all property and interests in property of the Government of the Russian Federation directly related to the implementation of the HEU Agreements and declared any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process with respect to such blocked property to be null and void, unless licensed or authorized pursuant to Executive Order 13617 or Executive Order 13159 of June 21, 2000.

The risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13617 of June 25, 2012, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond June 25, 2013. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared with respect to the disposition of Russian highly enriched uranium declared in Executive Order 13617.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Vice President Biden spoke yesterday with Haitian President Michel Martelly, continuing their dialogue at the recent meeting of Caribbean leaders in Trinidad and Tobago and furthering the enduring relationship between the United States and Haiti. The Vice President reiterated the United States’ continued long-term support for Haiti’s reconstruction and development as well as its democratic progress. The Vice President commended President Martelly for his leadership in addressing Haiti’s many challenges and encouraged his continued efforts to pursue economic and social development through a Haitian-led approach. They discussed progress and challenges in key areas of mutual interest, including infrastructure development, police and security issues, strengthening the capacity of Haitian Government institutions, and promoting transparency and human rights. Vice President Biden commended Haiti on the successful and peaceful election that brought President Martelly to power and encouraged President Martelly to hold senatorial and local elections this year. The Vice President underscored the importance of elections in solidifying Haiti’s democratic foundation. Vice President Biden reaffirmed that the United States is a committed friend and partner of Haiti and noted that he looks forward to deepening our cooperation to help Haiti build a more prosperous and secure country for its people.

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

I am pleased that the Senate took bipartisan action today to confirm Michael Froman as the United States Trade Representative. Mike has been my closest advisor on a broad range of international economic issues and will continue to play a key role on my economic team. He’s trusted and well-respected by our partners around the world, and for the last several years, he’s been a driving force behind our international economic agenda. In his new position, Mike will stay focused on our primary economic goals – promoting growth, creating jobs and strengthening the middle class. And he will continue to help open new markets for American businesses, level the playing field for American workers, farmers and ranchers, and fully enforce our trade rights.

…read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Michigan and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by flooding during the period of April 16 to May 14, 2013.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by flooding in the counties of Allegan, Baraga, Barry, Gogebic, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa, and Saginaw.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Mark A. Neveau as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

…read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Today, during his meeting with G-8 leaders in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, President Obama announced over $300 million in additional life-saving humanitarian assistance to help feed, shelter, and provide medical care for children, women, and men affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria. The United States remains the single-largest contributor of humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people, and this new contribution brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Syria crisis to nearly $815 million since the crisis began.

The United States supports and appreciates the countries hosting the 1.6 million refugees who have fled the brutal conflict in Syria, and commends host-nation efforts to provide protection, assistance, and hospitality to all those fleeing violence. The United States recognizes the significant strains on host communities and the economic impact of providing refuge to such a large number of people. We call on all host governments to continue to keep their borders open to those still fleeing violence in Syria.

This $300 million in additional humanitarian aid from the United States will increase food aid, medical care, clean water, and provide shelter and other relief supplies for families suffering in Syria and neighboring countries. In addition, the United States is increasing support for activities to protect especially vulnerable populations—including women, children, and the elderly—and improving sanitation and hygiene to help prevent the spread of water-borne illness.

The United States is now providing aid to 3.2 million people in Syria across all 14 governorates and continues to work through all possible channels to deliver aid to those in need in Syria, including through the United Nations, international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local Syrian organizations.

This new U.S. assistance includes:

INSIDE SYRIA: Over $128 million

Additional aid from the United States is increasing life-saving health and emergency medical capacity; providing additional food aid, including American wheat that will be milled into flour; providing more blankets, hygiene kits, clothing, and shelter materials; and supporting women, children, and those with special needs.

LEBANON: Over $72 million

The increased U.S. aid supports Syrian refugees as well as Lebanese host communities with shelter improvements for families hosting refugees, quick impact projects to improve local services in affected areas, along with vocational training, educational classes, and income generation activities to benefit Syrians and Lebanese in need. Additionally, new funding supports efforts to register newly-arrived Syrian refugees and provide them with food vouchers and cash assistance. Increased funding will provide food assistance to 165,000 Syrian refugees by July 2013.

U.S. funding ensures that 400,000 children under the age of five are immunized against measles, that water and sanitation services reach 70,000 refugees and host communities, and that more than 100,000 children have a safe educational environment.

In Lebanon, the number of Palestinian refugees from Syria now exceeds 56,500 and is anticipated to reach 80,000 by December. Palestinian arrivals from Syria are largely making their way to Lebanon’s existing Palestinian camps. These camps were already overcrowded and in disrepair before the influx from Syria increased the camps’ population …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Gaiety Theatre
Dublin, Ireland

5:19 P.M. IST

MRS. OBAMA: My goodness! (Applause.) That’s wonderful! You did it! Oh, my goodness. (Applause.) Thank you all so much. It is good to be home. Yes, indeed. You all are amazing — and you're pretty good-looking, too. (Laughter.)

I want to start by thanking Mrs. Kennedy — well, that’s — (laughter) — that’s a whole different story, but — Mrs. Kenny, Fionnuala, who has been such a wonderful friend. And for all the wonderful things she said about me, it is double. This woman is gracious and funny and warm and kind, and has just been truly open-armed to me. And it has meant so much to have her friendship and her hospitality, so I want us to give Mrs. Kenny a wonderful round of applause. (Applause.) She's one of the reasons why I came back as well.

I also want to thank Moya, as well as her husband John for welcoming us all to this very special performance of Riverdance. Let's give her a round of applause. (Applause.)

And of course, I have to recognize Mrs. Sabina Higgins, who I finally got the opportunity to meet in the flesh. And I am so grateful that you are here and for all that you have done for this country. Let's give her a round of applause. (Applause.)

And just a few other people that are here that I have to say hello to: America’s Chargé d’Affaires here in Dublin, John Hennessey-Niland. Yes. You guys are good. Give everyone a hand. (Applause.) Two very special people to us — our former Ambassador Dan Rooney, and his wonderful wife, Patricia — they are here today, fortunately. (Applause.) And the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan is here, and we want to say hello and thank you — (applause) — as well as Denis and Caroline Desmond and everyone here at the Gaiety Theatre for hosting us here in this historic and beautiful space. It's kind of nice. (Applause.)

But most of all, I want to thank all you for being here. You know, kids, you guys, young people — you guys have my heart. And I said this in Belfast earlier — it's so true. (Laughter.) Look, my girls know — I can embarrass them and love them to death — but young people, you guys move me in ways that you don’t even imagine. So it was so important for us that while we were here we got to do something with the young people here in Dublin. So thank you for such a warm welcome. You have made my family feel right at home in Ireland, and you guys are pretty awesome. <br …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Lough Erne Resort
Lough Erne, Northern Ireland

3:23 P.M. BST

PRIME MINISTER CAMERON: Well, good afternoon and welcome, everyone. Welcome to Lough Erne.

I always said that the whole point of this meeting in Lough Erne is to fire up our economies and drive growth and prosperity around the world — to do things that make a real difference to people’s lives. And there is no more powerful way to achieve that than by boosting trade. And there’s no better way than by launching these negotiations on a landmark deal between the European Union and the United States of America — a deal that could add as much as a £100 billion to the EU economy, £80 billion to the U.S. economy, and as much as £85 billion to the rest of the world.

And we should be clear about what these numbers could really mean: 2 million extra jobs, more choice and lower prices in our shops. We’re talking about what could be the biggest bilateral trade deal in history; a deal that will have a greater impact than all the other trade deals on the table put together.

When we last met at Camp David in the G8 and we first suggested we could reach this moment here in Lough Erne, many doubted it would be possible. Everyone knows these trade deals are difficult. Some take years to get off the ground, and some never happen at all. So it’s a testament to the leadership and the political will of everyone here that we’ve reached this point. We must maintain that political will in the months ahead. This is a once-in-a-generation prize and we are determined to seize it.

President Barroso — Jose Manuel, over to you.

PRESIDENT BARROSO: Thank you. Thank you, David.

Today is a special day for the relation between European Union and the United States. Today we announce we will start negotiations of a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement. Very frankly, two years ago, very few would have bet that today we’d be in the position to launch negotiations of an ambitious European Union-United States free trade agreement.

And when the teams of the European Commission and United States will meet for the first round on the negotiations next month, it will be the start of a joint undertaking of real strategic importance. Our joint endeavor is part of our overall agenda for growth and jobs to both sides of the Atlantic by boosting trade and investment. It is also a powerful demonstration of our determination to shape a open rules-based role.

We intend to move forward fast. We can say that neither of us will give up content for the sake of speed, but we intend to make rapid progress. I’d rather see the core challenge, …read more

Source: White House Press Office