Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip H. Gordon will join Secretary Clinton in Istanbul, Turkey, for meetings with senior Turkish Government officials and Syrian activists.

On August 12, Assistant Secretary Gordon will travel to Bucharest, Romania, where he will meet with senior government officials to discuss the concerns the United States has regarding recent government actions that threaten democratic checks and balances and weaken independent institutions. Assistant Secretary Gordon will also meet with members of civil society and the business community to discuss how their work plays a role in strengthening the democratic values and principles that unite the transatlantic community.