Embassy Press Release

Visit to Romania of the United States Secretary of the Navy

May 15, 2008

Meeting of U.S. Secretary of Navy, Donald Winter, with State Secretary Corneliu Dobritoiu, on May 14, 2008.

Dr. Donald C. Winter, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, visited Romania, May 13-15, 2008. On Wednesday, May 14, Dr. Winter met with Mr. Corneliu Dobritoiu, State Secretary, and Chief, Defense Policy and Planning Department, and with LTG Mihail Orzeata, Deputy Chief of the General Staff. The agenda of official talks included issues of mutual interest on the participation of Romania in ISAF operations and Operation Enduring Freedom, on the Extended Black Sea Region, and on bilateral military cooperation relations.

Dr. Winter expressed the United States' thanks and appreciation for Romania's support of coalition efforts in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, pointing out the importance of reliable partnerships in these vital areas. He also highlighted the importance of the U.S. - Romanian strategic relationship and the need to continue to build upon it to ensure the security of the Black Sea region. The visit to Romania also included meetings with Mr. Constantin Degeratu, State Adviser, Presidential Administration, with Mr. Stejarel Olaru, State Adviser, Office of the Prime Minister, and with Mr. Costica Canacheu, Chairman, Defense, Public Order, and National Security Committee, House of Deputies, Parliament of Romania.

After official meetings in Bucharest, Dr. Winter traveled to Constanta to visit the Romanian Naval Fleet. There he was the guest of Rear Admiral Dorin Danila, the Romanian Chief of Naval Forces, and toured the Romanian frigate Regina - Maria (F-222). The ship tour was followed by a review of the Navy staff and briefings on Romanian Naval capabilities at the Fleet Command Headquarters.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Donald C. Winter, is welcomed by Romanian Naval Fleet officers, during an official visit in Constanta on May 14, 2008.

Discussions with the Romanian Navy covered topics of mutual interest, to include maritime security, maritime domain awareness, modernization of the U.S. and Romanian fleets, and the expansion of education and training opportunities for Romanian Navy personnel in the U.S.

A biography of Dr. Donald C. Winter is available at the following link http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=30

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