Minister. He was asked about the call between President Trump and the ukrainian president , and also commented on the handling of the impeachment inquiry by house democrats. F. M. Di maio good morning and welcome to this joint press conference. We will have brief statements by the minister, followed by a secretary mike pompeo. Then we will take two questions from the italian press, and two questions by u. S. Journalists. Thank you, everybody, for being here. A very warm welcome to mr. Secretary of state pompeo. Welcome. Thank you for your visit. R traveling here following these institutional meetings. Thank you for deciding to go for the first time to the town your ancestors came from. Im very happy to have had this opportunity to meet. To secretaryerated pompeo, italy is an ally of the United States. We are part of the atlantic alliance, and we wish to be protagonists within the atlantic alliance. We want to be protagonists within nato. We want to be protagonists in stimulating our alliance toward new challenges, new diplomatic challenges, challenges which of course have to do with our countrys stability, growth, and economic and social growth. It was a real pleasure for me to be able to discuss some important issues with you, issues which are at the very core of our concerns, of course. Issues such as the crisis in the mediterranean with a special focus on libya. We talked about the stability of libya, which is essential as far as we are concerned. It is not just linked to our concerns of migration, it is linked to our concerns with a possible terrorist risk. You all know that libya is very close to italy. Res territorial waters a waters in which are fishing it is a into, therefore region which is very close to us, to sicily and our borders. Be, it willit will be very important to be able to meet at an upcoming conference, a conference we are already working on. And the role of the u. S. Will be very important and the work we can do together as a way of stimulating all of the players involved in libya to move toward a ceasefire without fostering any kind of tension, without any kind of escalation. In fact, we wish to work toward a deescalation of things. And as i was mentioning to secretary pompeo, i am also very much concerned about the topic of tariffs. We are concerned because we have a number of companies in italy which have survived thanks to their exports. They are the ones which export food andbest wine and handmade products. That is what our Companies Live off of. As i was explaining to secretary pompeo, in the past we use to export our industrial plants, whereas nowadays we want to focus on exporting our products, while keeping plans and jobs here. That is important. And a moment in time in which the european economy is slowing down, our Companies Need to have certainties. Course, one such certainty is our relationship with the u. S. It is a fundamental relationship, it is not just one based on trade, it is based on friendship and our economies. And sometimes it is a relationship in which our products are destined to the u. S. And of course, we as a government will do whatever we can to try to defend our made in italy products and our exports. We want to defend our products of excellence, and we want to do everything we can so that we can increase our export capacity without reducing it. We want to make sure our companies can export even more, because they do so much for our economy. I am referring to are entrepreneurs in central and southern italy, and on our islands. As a way of concluding, before i leave the floor to mr. Pompeo, currently, we wish to deal with international challenges. They are the framework of our atlantic alliance. And we wish to deal with these challenges with the very best of the diplomatic spirit that has always characterized us. Any solution to a crisis must be diplomatic, it must be peaceful, that is something we will always work on together. Continue to bring about economic and social wealth in our respective countries. Sec. Pompeo good afternoon, everyone. Thank you. Grazi. Andhave been most gracious i have had a wonderful meetings with the president and Prime Minister yesterday. Truly excellent hospitality, the finest italian traditions and i italianward to showing American Hospitality in washington in just a couple weeks. We are both smiling because the deep and abiding ties are very personal for me. I am one of 20 million americans who proudly claim italian heritage. And at the first one to serve as secretary of state. Tomorrow, i get a chance to visit my ancestral home, and i am looking forward to meeting all of my cousins. And i hear that the food is worth meeting as well. We had an excellent discussion today about the cooperation that lies ahead for the u. S. And the new Italian Government. That cooperation will be well served by President Trumps already strong relationship with the italian Prime Minister and president. But archer bonds come from a shared value set. We share the same principles of democracy and the rule of law and respect for human dignity. I was pleased to affirm our commitment to religious freedom earlier this morning at a Conference Held at the vatican. Printable together principles together have produced a partnership with an underpinned peace and stability in the west for decades. We are grateful for what italy has done. The leadership in north africa, as well as in afghanistan and iraq, and i am also grateful that 30,000 men and women of the u. S. Military, civilians and family members can call italy their temporary home. You are wonderful hosts for them and we appreciate that. I know also that we can do more together we should keep using the u. S. Italy dialogue to find ways to improve stability in europe and grow our cooperation in the mediterranean. And we should continue to stand united against iranian aggression. European nations have begun to wake up that iran is the aggressor. It is also clear from italys decision not to renew access to italy, and we are grateful for that. I have asked for italys support. We talked about today the necessary task of confronting Nicolas Maduro over his repression and the mismanagement that has taken place in venezuela. The sanctions should be enforced timest russia until such that the situation changes materially. And finally, italy is a friend and a sovereign nation with a right to make its own choices, but as i have done in budapest, bangkok, i urged my italian friends to see how china uses its economic power to cultivate political influence and erode sovereignty. I raised concerns about their approach to investment and what it could mean throughout europe and africa and the world at large. These are complicated issues with no easy answers. But my obligation is to speak the truth about these threats. A set of common threats which will continue to create confidence but our partnership between our two countries will remain strong and enduring. Thank you. F. M. Di maio thank you. [speaking italian] we will begin with an italian journalist. Aser, secretary, um far as the berlin conference and libya, given the violence by the generals troops over the past few hours and days, how does the u. S. Intend to support italys approach when it comes to ending the violence and to promote a ceasefire . How . Sec. Pompeo we had discussions today, we had them with the Prime Minister and president as well about libya. Our mission set is very similar. We recognize that the first and most important thing we need to do is take down the level of violence. A ceasefire to convince all relative parties on the ground, as well as those supporting from the outside, that a political solution is the only way to create in outcome and libya that is remotely adequate for italy, but most importantly for the people libya as well. Our mission set, alongside our italian partners, is to convince all of the relevant parties that the political process must move forward. I am hopeful that whether it is the berlin conference or other work that will take place over the coming weeks, that we can achieve that outcome. This topic was obviously one which was discussed during all of the talks we had last week in new york during the u. N. Assembly. And we agree on the principle that in order for there to be a nosefire, there should be countries which stimulate this conflict, on the one side and on the other. Role italy can have it is important. On libyan players and nonlibyan players. But of course, the solution that the world power like the u. S. Can exercise is just as important. And we believe that the berlin conference, if prepared adequately, and by involving the players in the conflict as much as possible, we feel that this can lead to a further step forward. Of course, the step forward has to lead to a ceasefire. And it has to lead toward a political process that can lead to the stabilization of libya. Good morning. I would like to ask both of you issue ins the iran greater detail. Secretary pompeo, do you think that returning to negotiations, weit indirect or direct, already about the alleged phone call between President Trump and president roney at the u. N. , does the department of state favor a renewal in talks and is it willing to reduce this maximum sanctions policy against iran . And i also want to ask the in your introductory speech you said that italy a diplomaticprefer and political discussion to most serious crises in the world. As far as the mediterranean is concerned, the most serious crisis is the iranian one. Secretary pompeo also mentioned an Iranian Company and i did not understand if italy will be willing to sanction that airline. Ayd one final remark tod is the anniversary of the killing of the saudi journalist, jamal khashoggi. Do you think that that murder will have an influence on the way in which our government looks toward the main players in the middle Eastern Region . F. M. Di maio let me start by saying that it is obvious, it is clear that we agree on the fact that as far as the Italian Government is concerned, or more generally speaking, the approach to any crisis has the be one which tends towards a deescalation of things. That does not mean being neutral. Region in which certain tensions exist. Italy is concerned about these tensions. Dr as the does the i ossier is concerned, in the next few days i imagine the authorities which deal with air routes will be delivering their decisions. For the now 2. 5 years of the trump administration, the republic of primary been the destabilizing force throughout the middle east. Denytrategy has been to them the welcome to resources that they have used for 40 years now to conduct assassination campaigns here in europe, to engage with militias all around the world, to disrupt and gain political influence, to conduct terror campaigns. As we have seen in the last halfdozen months, take european ships off the water in the strait of hormuz. Saudiducting attacks into arabia, taking over 5 of the Worlds Energy supply off the market. This is the iran that the world confronts, and in the u. S. And italy confronted together. Our theory is working. They have fewer resources today, the iranian leadership is making difficult decisions about resource allocation inside of their own country, and we remain hopeful that there will be an opportunity to discuss, with the iranians, the path forward. The president has said repeatedly, we are working every day to deter with the Maritime Initiative in the strait of hormuz, to deescalate, and create opportunities for diplomacy. That is the approach we have taken and when we will continue to take. And one we will continue to take. The associated press. Hi, mr. Secretary, this will be the second time in a week that i will have to ask about washington when we are not in washington. This relates to the ukraine situation and what is going on on the hill. First of all, is it correct that you were on the phone call that President Trump had with president zelensky on july 25 . If so, are the accounts we have seen of it, including the transcript or partial transcript released by the white house, accurate and complete . If you worked on the call, did you hear anything in the conversation that raised a red flag as inappropriate, or anything that gave you concerns . Secondly, you said last week that as far as you knew everybody at the state department had acted appropriately in regards to ukraine, including yourself. So is that still the case, is that still your belief . Thet is, why object to demand for deposition from the house committees on the hill . And do you have any concerns at all about what the state Department Inspector general is going to be briefing to hill staffers later today . Thank you. Sec. Pompeo i will try to 13er questions 47 first, after that. The predicate of your final question about objecting to what the folks on capitol hill have asked is fundamentally not true. What we objected to was the thatds that were put, deeply violate fundamental principles of separation of powers. They contacted the state Department Employees directly, told him not to contact Legal Counsel at the state department. They reported to us. They said that the state department would not be able to be present. There are important constitutional prerogatives that the executive branch has, to be present, so we can protect information. So that our partners, countries like italy, can have confidence at that the information they provide the state department will continue to be protected. So the response i provided to acknowledgedthat that we will do our constitutional duty to cooperate with this coequal branch, but we are going to do so in a way that is consistent with the fundamental values of the american system and we will not tolerate folks on capitol hill intimidating state Department Employees. That is unacceptable and not something i will permit to happen. Call, was i on the phone i was on the phone call. It was in the context of, i have been secretary of state for a year and a half and i know precisely what the american policy is with respect to ukraine. It has been remarkably consistent. And we will continue to try to drive those a set of outcomes. It is what our team, including ambassador volcker, are focused on. Was taken down the threat that russia poses there in ukraine. It was about helping ukrainians to get corruption out of their government. And to help now this new government in the ukraine build a successful economy. It is what the state Department Officials that i have had the privilege to lead have been engaged in, it is what we will continue to do, even with all this noise going on. The national review. You both for being here. I want to address the question to both of you and you can take it in whatever order, whoever wants to go first. Primarily oriented toward what is conveniently termed the belt and road these days, but on a broader basis. Butjust with while way, does the u. S. Have specific plans and how to counter chinas investment in these infrastructure assets . I asked that because it seems like there is a very wide debris of those assets that are financed or operated in italy by Chinese Companies, particularly , and under the new bri memorandum that was assigned, bridges, roads and highways as well. It seems like a great deal of italys economic infrastructure is moving in the direction of chinese influence and i guess the underlying point is those things tend to require Chinese Companies to work very closely with Italian Government and financial institutions, and get more deeply embedded in the way that decisions are made and at the way that budgets and resources are thank you, chris. I am happy to answer. Thank you very much for your question. Have absorbed, we all of the department for Foreign Trade into the ministry for foreign affairs. I said this at the beginning and i want to reiterate this in the presence of secretary pompeo, we are allies of the United States on we share their concerns certain strategic infrastructure, such as 5g per instance. 5g, for instance. The concerns of our authorities hve led have led to new legislation here in italy, making us one of the most advanced countries in terms of 5g security compared to the rest of europe. We have created a golden power as far as 5g, and we recently approved a new decree, which has immediately come into force. It is to define the cybersecurity framework, as far as our country is concerned, but at the same time we also have a committee which we have set up, which will be assessing the accurate functioning of all of the systems being installed within our strategic infrastructure. Now, i want to say this because i want to make it clear want to make it clear to central from our political concerns and are concerns visavis strategic infrastructure. And hopefully in the future, we will be able to increasingly strengthen the relations and agreements between the u. S. And italy to secure our strategic structure. Signingno intention of trade agreements that can endanger our states sovereignty. We are very careful whenever we sign trade agreements. We make sure that we include any possible guarantee, so that european legislation is complied with, and if so that the european principles are complied with, principles which we regulate our trade relations with other noneu countries. Sec. Pompeo we talked about this quite a bit, both yesterday and today. Companies or chinese show up and are prepared to compete on a fair basis, italian companies, American Companies will compete and will be successful. And we have no ill toward those opportunities. It is when the Chinese Communist party shows up under the guise of a commercial endeavor with an aim to really make an investment that has a political outcome, to gain political power or influence, or threaten National Security of a nation. Those are the things that every sovereign nation must protect against, and it is the kind of projects that i am confident, that i know the italians will evaluate carefully, they want to protect their people and they want to protect their citizens data going across their systems, from the Chinese Communist party having access to the information. These are shared concerns not only between the u. S. And italy, but with all european nations. What President Trump has asked on the trade front is it simply that china compete on a fair, reciprocal basis. That we set up trade agreements that permit that, that we have protections for property rights, that we can prevent china from stealing intellectual property. We know more wanted them to steal italian intellectual property than we do American Intellectual property. And im confident our two companies will Work Together to get those same set of outcomes that i know every italian citizen and american citizen wants as well. Thanks. Thank you. F. M. Di maio thank you very much. Sec. Pompeo so long. F. M. Di maio goodbye. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] announcer President Trump spoke to the press today after welcoming the president of finland to the white house. He commented on the impeachment inquiry. We will show those comments and at the News Conference tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Tomorrow, alexandria ocasiocortez will have a town hall meeting in queens on her legislation called a just society, including six bills dealing with Affordable Housing and access to benefits. Live thursday at 5 45 p. M. Come here on cspan 55 p. M. , here on cspan. Announcer on saturday at 2 30 p. M. On American History tv, winston lord, author of kissinger on kissinger on president nixons relationship with henry kissinger. He had read his books. He was so interested. And he knew that he needed an able National Security advisor. Announcer at 10 00 p. M. There was little to do except work. And life was rugged indeed, here in such a setting they prepared to search for oil. Announcer the 1948 film desert venture on the origins of the Saudi Arabian oil industry. And on sunday on american artifacts, we will preview the votes for women exhibit at the Smithsonians National portrait gallery. She was well ahead of her time. She started her own business as a wall street. Sex outside ofor marriage. Anouncer and at 6 30 p. M. , author discusses her book democracy and truth. No one person, no one institution, no one sector, no king, priest, National Research body would get the call all the shots. Announcer explore our nations cast on American History tv, every weekend on cspan 3. Host we continue the conversation on impeachment and the whistleblower complaint against President Trump. Paul the senior counsel during the whitewater investigation. Ou worked for ken starr do you see any legal similarities between that investigation and the investigation against President Trump . As it is being conducted by the Intelligence Committee . A differentnk it is kettle of fish that present its own level of issues. At the highest level, the legal question of what constitutes a high crime and misdemeanor and what