Embassy Press Release

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman at the Official Opening of the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibit and Conference

Bucharest, Romania
April 24, 2007

Mr. Prime Minister:
Mr. Minister;
General Degeratu;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

It is a special honor for me, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest to welcome you to the official opening of the 2007 Black Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibition and Conference.

Allow me to extend my appreciation to the government of Romania and Romaero for hosting this event. It is just one of many fine examples of the special partnership that we share with Romania.

The 2007 Black Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibition is the right trade fair, at the right place and at the right time.

The Prime Minister has heard me say this many times before. But I will say it again. We are very grateful for the contributions of Romania’s armed forces overseas. Your men and women in uniform are serving side-by-side with our military, and they have done many great things together. I know that they will continue to work together, as close allies and partners, for many years to come.

Our presence here today also helps underscore our common interests and shared concerns to secure not only peace but also democracy, prosperity and strong habits of cooperation in this region and beyond.

This exhibition builds on Romania’s leadership in promoting the importance of the Black Sea region and in pursuing our common agenda in the Global War on Terrorism. Romania is already one of NATO’s most active members, and I know that Romania will continue to be a strong advocate of the Euro-Atlantic agenda.

In short, it is only fitting that Bucharest is the venue for the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibition. Romania is playing a crucial role in bringing governments, businesses and NGOs together in order to focus on the region’s needs and to forge practical solutions to its security challenges. This week’s exhibition is just one example among many.

Finally, the United States recently signed defense cooperation agreements with both Romania and Bulgaria. We are actively bringing into being new capabilities and training opportunities right here, on the Black Sea shore. Working closely with other key countries in the region, including fellow NATO members Turkey and Bulgaria, we envision a future of ever closer collaboration in addressing the new threats we all face in the twenty-first century.

So again let me welcome this conference, extend my appreciation to all of the participants, and wish everyone a productive and rewarding experience.

For more information, please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/romania/en/black_sea_defense_aerospace.html

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