STATEMENTS BY U.S. OFFICIALS

Question Taken At June 25, 2007 Daily Press Briefing

Black Sea Economic Cooperation Summit

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
June 25, 2007

Question:   What is the U.S. Government view of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Summit being held in Istanbul?  Is there U.S. representation at this summit?  Do we have any hopes for the outcome of this summit?

As a Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) observer the United States congratulates the member nations on their 15th anniversary meeting held in Istanbul.  The United States Ambassador to Turkey, Ross Wilson, represented the United States at this event.  We deeply appreciate the work of Secretary General Chrysanthopoulos to reinvigorate BSEC by focusing on concrete projects and to promote engagement with other regional organizations.  We look forward to deepening our collaboration with BSEC to foster regional cooperation in the extended Black Sea region on security, energy and regional commerce, and democratic reform and sustainable development.   The United States has proposed, and BSEC members have approved, the holding of a conference to promote environmentally-friendly business development, to take place in September in Istanbul.  We look forward to working together to make it a success.