Embassy Press Release

Remarks of Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman on the Occasion of the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace Opening Ceremony

Ambassador Taubman (R) delivering his remarks on the Occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibit. Bucharest, September 24, 2008 (Lucian Crusoveanu / Public Diplomacy Office). More photos

Romaero - Bucharest
September 24, 2008

General Dobritoiu,
General Degeratu,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am honored to join you in opening the second Black Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibition and Conference. This is an important event in our region, and I am pleased to see that the show is even bigger this year. Clearly nothing succeeds like success.

I would like to thank TNT Productions for their hard work in creating such an important forum for representatives of industry, government, and the military to come together. The exchange of information and ideas is simply outstanding, and the opportunities to see, discuss, and demonstrate the very latest defense and security technologies are extraordinary. To my knowledge, there is no other event like BSDA.

We could also say that there is no better time or place to be having this kind of event. Since the first BSDA, Romania and the Black Sea Region are playing even larger parts on the world stage. The events of the last few months have kept the spotlight on Romania, and emphasized the country’s importance to the security, development, and prosperity of the region.

This point was made clearly when Romania hosted the NATO Summit, and has been repeated in the months since then. Romania is a valued and respected member of NATO, and her troops -- alongside U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq -- have been commended for their courage and effectiveness.

I am confident that Romania’s work for the security, prosperity, and peace of the Black Sea Region will be marked by those same attributes, and by the determination Romanians exhibit to equip themselves for these tasks.

In his first inaugural speech, President Dwight Eisenhower said: “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose."

He made this speech in 1953, but his words still ring true today. The threats to our security, our freedom, and our prosperity may come from different quarters, but whether from states or stateless organizations, they are aimed at the foundation of our democratic society. We must meet them together with the same resolve and stamina in purpose.

In addition, we face environmental, social, and economic challenges, as well. These problems range from energy security to human trafficking, and overcoming them is just as important to our two nations. On all of these fronts, I am pleased to say the United States enjoys an excellent, productive relationship with Romania.

A little more than a week ago, I was pleased to witness the award of a grant for more than $1 million dollars from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to enable a study of the feasibility of a Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in Constanta. This grant is just one of several joint initiatives in the region to advance energy security both in Romania and throughout Europe.

So I hope those who attend BSDA this week – whether “buyer” or “seller” -- will recall those words of President Eisenhower as they meet, and as they make business decisions and form new partnerships. I have no doubts about American technologies’ ability to make your defense “proficient”. And I invite you to stay and witness a live demonstration of what we call “F-16 proficiency” a little later this morning.

But to all the participants in this year’s BSDA, I would like to extend my best wishes for a productive show. Thank you again for inviting me to join you in this opening.

Thank you.

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