The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 12, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Conversation with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani

This morning, Vice President Biden spoke with Masoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The Vice President and President agreed on the importance of forming a new Iraqi government as quickly as possible, consistent with the timelines set forth in Iraq’s constitution. They confirmed that one of the new government’s key tasks will be to address long-standing disputes between the central and regional governments consistent with the Iraqi constitution. Towards this end, the two leaders agreed that any territorial dispute arising due to an exigency from the current crisis must be resolved peacefully, in a fair and transparent manner, and in full consultation with all communities. They also agreed that any such process should be undertaken only pursuant to the mechanisms set forth in the Iraqi constitution. The Vice President offered his sympathy for Kurdish Peshmerga fighters recently killed in battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as well as all Iraqi soldiers fighting the same enemy, and he encouraged all political forces to unite against this serious threat to every component of Iraq.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 12, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine. President Poroshenko informed the Vice President about the latest separatist attacks using heavy weapons on Ukrainian forces and the Vice President expressed his condolences for the loss of life. The Vice President expressed support for President Poroshenko’s efforts to convene a meeting to discuss a possible ceasefire with the separatists, and informed Poroshenko of ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts to work with our international partners to impose costs on Russia if it continues on its current course of providing the separatists with heavy weapons and equipment.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 10, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan

This morning, the Vice President hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for a meeting at the Naval Observatory. The King and Vice President discussed a wide range of regional issues, including the Gaza crisis. They spoke about Iraq and agreed on the need for Iraqis to quickly form a government capable of uniting all of Iraq’s communities in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Regarding Syria, they discussed efforts to create the conditions for a comprehensive political solution, address the threat of violent extremism, and meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the Syrian people as well as those of host communities, including Jordan. The King and Vice President reaffirmed the value both countries place on the U.S.-Jordan partnership. 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 10, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine. President Poroshenko told the Vice President that the Ukrainian government had proposed multiple venues -- in Ukraine, in Russia, as well as other countries -- for negotiating a ceasefire with the pro-Russian separatists, but that all of these offers were refused either by Russia or the separatists. The Vice President welcomed Ukraine’s continued efforts to negotiate a ceasefire as well as a roadmap for implementing President Poroshenko’s peace plan in an effort to put Ukraine on a long-term path to stability. The Vice President told President Poroshenko that the United States was discussing with its partners in the international community the need to hold Russia accountable for its continued support for the separatists, including its provision of heavy weapons and equipment across the border. The Vice President agreed with President Poroshenko on the need to quickly put in place an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) border monitoring mission in Ukraine that could potentially be expanded to monitor a future ceasefire, and on the need for the immediate release of Ukrainian hostages held by the separatists.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 09, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Calls with Central American Presidents

Vice President Biden followed up today on his June 20 visit to Guatemala by calling Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, and El Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren. The Vice President reviewed joint efforts to address the surge of unaccompanied minors and adults with children migrating to the United States, including awareness campaigns to warn about dangers involved in travel to the U.S. and to counter misinformation about US immigration policy spread by criminal smuggling organizations; stopping and prosecuting smugglers travelling with migrants; and addressing the root causes of the problem. The Vice President discussed the Administration’s $3.7 billion request to Congress for an emergency supplemental appropriation to handle the situation on the border in a timely and efficient way. The funding request includes $300 million to help governments repatriate and reintegrate migrants, as well as to help create the economic, social, governance and citizen security conditions to address factors contributing to increases in migration.

The Central American presidents reaffirmed their commitment to working in partnership with the United States to demonstrate concrete results in countering transnational criminal elements, stemming the flow of illegal migration, expanding the capacity to receive and repatriate individuals and family units, and promoting security and economic opportunity in Central America.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 09, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Conversation with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani

This morning, Vice President Biden spoke with Masoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The Vice President underscored the United States’ support for Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The Vice President expressed his condolences for all Iraqis who have lost their lives defending their land against ISIL including members of the Kurdish Peshmerga. Vice President Biden and President Barzani also agreed on the need to accelerate the government formation process pursuant to the time-lines set forth in the Iraqi constitution.

Weekly Wrap Up: Team USA, 9.7 Million Jobs, and 50 Years of the Civil Rights Act

David Hudson
David Hudson
July 04, 2014
10:00 AM EST

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

This week, President Obama cheered on and congratulated the U.S. men's soccer team; we saw a promising jobs report for June; the President talked about planes, trains, and automobiles in a speech on infrastructure and the economy; and the Vice President reflected on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

Check out what else you may have missed in this week's wrap up.

52 Months, 9.7 Million Jobs

Yesterday's jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that private-sector employment has increased for 52 straight months — the longest such streak on record. Over that time, businesses have added 9.7 million jobs, and the 1.4 million jobs added in the first half of this year are the most in any first half since 1999.

Find out more about the latest jobs numbers here.

Related Topics: Grab Bag

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 03, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Drop-By with Visiting Delegation from Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government

This afternoon, Vice President Biden dropped by Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken’s meeting with Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff to Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani, and Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government Foreign Relations Department.  Both sides agreed on the importance of forming a new government in Iraq that will pull together all communities in Iraq and can effectively counter the serious and shared threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).  The Vice President affirmed strong U.S. support for Iraq in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement and emphasized the importance of the relationship between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.  

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 03, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the crisis in Iraq and other regional issues. The Vice President welcomed the release of some of the Turkish citizens being held hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). The Vice President and Prime Minister agreed on the importance of supporting lasting security and stability in Iraq and the cooperation of all Iraq’s communities.  

West Wing Week 07/04/14 or, “Cynicism is a Choice… Hope is a Better Choice”

Adam Garber
Adam Garber
July 03, 2014
06:54 PM EST

This week, the President wrapped up a trip to Minneapolis, nominated a new VA Secretary, and caught some World Cup fever. 

Related Topics: Inside the White House, Minnesota