The United States Embassy in Bucharest and U.S. European Command (EUCOM) hosted senior U.S. policymakers in Bucharest to discuss U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic efforts, as well as security interests in the Black Sea region.
The conference brought together senior policymakers from the State Department, U.S. ambassadors to the Black Sea countries, and EUCOM leadership to discuss strategies to support U.S. allies and partners in the region, while also discussing critical security topics including Russia's war against Ukraine, increased maritime mobility in the Black Sea region, and regional deterrence and defense plans.
Participants included U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien, Commander of U.S. European Command General Christopher Kavoli, and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission in Bulgaria Andrea Broylette-Rodriguez, Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan, Ambassador to Turkey Jeffrey Flake, Ambassador to Romania Kathleen Kavalek, Ambassador to Armenia Christina Kvien, Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mark Libby, Ambassador to Moldova Kent Logsdon, Ambassador to the Russian Federation Lynn Tracy.
Heads of Mission Conferences facilitate strategic discussions among U.S. diplomatic and defense leaders to formulate strategic initiatives in support of U.S. foreign policy and national security.
"The Black Sea is critical to global peace and stability, and its importance is only expected to grow in the coming years," said U.S. Ambassador to Romania Kathleen Cavalek. "It is a vital export transit route, and its interconnections facilitate trade and energy flows between Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East, making it a key economic hub. Russia's war against Ukraine is the most significant conflict in Europe since World War II and the greatest threat to international order today," Cavalek warned. "Such an attack on international order everywhere affects peace and stability everywhere, including in the Black Sea region," the ambassador added.
"Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the security environment in the Black Sea region," said Christopher Cavalle. "The region is of critical geostrategic importance to USEUCOM, our allies and partners. This conference brought together U.S. diplomatic and military leaders focused on advancing the collective territorial security of the Black Sea region," he added. /BGNES
