Mike Pompeo has arrived in Brussels for his first overseas trip in his new post as the US secretary of state to meet key allies in Europe amid a pileup of foreign policy challenges.
Pompeo set off on the trip hours after he was sworn in as America’s top diplomat following his tumultuous confirmation in the Senate. Overcoming stiff opposition by Democrats, Pompeo was confirmed in a 57-42 vote on Thursday.
The former CIA director will meet with various NATO leaders and European counterparts in Belgium before leaving for a Middle East tour.
Pompeo met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg early on Friday prior to a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
The meeting will be a preview to the leaders’ summit in July with a focus on Russia’s role in Ukraine, Georgia and in Syria, as well as plans for increasing security along Europe’s southern frontier.
Pompeo, a former Army officer with hawkish views who was a third-term Republican congressman, is regarded as a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump.
Even before assuming his new post, Pompeo was already involved in US diplomacy. Trump sent Pompeo to North Korea three weeks ago to meet its leader Kim Jong-un ahead of a much anticipated summit with the US president.
The White House on Thursday released photos of the secret meeting, showing the pair shaking hands.
Pompeo will have to quickly address a number of pressing international issues, including long conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan, as well as tensions with Russia.
The top diplomat is also expected to discuss the Iran nuclear deal with European leaders in Brussels, as a May 12 deadline for Trump to announce his position on the international accord approaches.
Pompeo fiercely opposed the 2015 nuclear agreement while in Congress. He once suggested the US should respond to Iran’s nuclear program was 2,000 bombing sorties.
During his confirmation hearing, the former CIA chief refused to say whether he was advocating for a US withdrawal from the deal. However, he said he was open to fixing it, as demanded by Trump.