Daniel Fried Discusses Latest Developments in Prague

Daniel Fried at the American Center

January 12, 2009

The situation in the Gaza Strip, Europe’s future energy security and missile defense were the main issues at a media roundtable during U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried’s Prague visit on January 8.

Commenting on the recent violence in Gaza, Fried noted that everyone wanted to stop the bloodshed but that, “a provisional solution leads nowhere; we are looking for a durable arrangement…” Talking about missile defense, Fried underlined that the U.S. is willing to work with its international partners to achieve an optimal outcome. “U.S., NATO and Russian systems could be either integrated with single command, or could work on the basis of interconnection or instant communication. As for the long-term European gas crisis highlighted by Russia’s recent halt of exports through Ukraine, Fried said,   “Responsibility for European energy security is on Europe.  We will do what we can to help…. No European country should depend on one energy source only.” 

While in the Czech Republic for the US-EU Political Directors Meeting, Fried met with various government officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar and Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra.