Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary Carter met today with Djibouti Minister of Defense Hassan Darar Houffaneh, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali Youssouf, and other senior Djiboutian officials at the Pentagon.
During the 30 minute meeting, the leaders discussed regional security interests and bilateral issues including: this week's inaugural Bi-National Forum, counterterrorism and maritime operations, support for Camp Lemonnier, and the initiation of a partnership between Djibouti and the Kentucky National Guard via the State Partnership Program.
Secretary Carter highlighted U.S. and Djiboutian shared commitment to fighting terrorism throughout the Horn of Africa that has made east Africa and America safer. He lauded Djibouti's decision to deploy additional forces to Somalia, emphasizing the importance of continued bilateral and regional cooperation in operations to defeat al-Shabaab.