Rubio Embarks on European Tour, Condemns Hong Kong Activist's Sentencing

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans this week to travel to Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary. The US State Department stated on February 9 that Rubio will attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany from February 13 to 15. Following that, he heads to Bratislava on February 15 to meet Slovak government members. There, discussions aim to promote shared regional security interests, strengthen bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, diversify energy sources, and support Slovakia's military modernization and NATO commitments, according to the State Department release. Rubio then visits Budapest on February 15 and 16 to meet Hungarian officials. Telex reports he will reaffirm shared bilateral and regional interests, including commitments to peace processes for global conflicts and the US-Hungary energy partnership. France 24 notes this trip follows President Donald Trump's public endorsement of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who faces polls showing him trailing ahead of April elections. Reuters adds that Rubio will lead a large US delegation to Munich, including over 50 members of Congress, amid transatlantic tensions. Conference chair Wolfgang Ischinger highlighted a crisis of trust but praised the strong US turnout. On another front, Rubio condemned a Hong Kong court sentencing pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. The US State Department statement quoted Rubio saying the decision is an unjust and tragic conclusion that shows Beijing's extraordinary lengths to silence advocates of fundamental freedoms, violating China's 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration commitments. He urged authorities to grant Lai humanitarian parole after over five years in detention. Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee leaders sent Rubio a letter pledging bipartisan support to tighten export controls on chipmaking tools to China. Democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov reports Ranking Member Gregory Meeks and Chairman Brian Mast urged closer ally cooperation to close gaps, warning China is accelerating imports and upgrading equipment. Today, Rubio's public schedule includes meetings at the State Department and White House, per State Department updates. Thanks listeners for tuning in and remind you to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.