Right: 140611-N-PM781-009 CONSTANTA, Romania (June 11, 2014) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus meets with Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, serving as the Black Sea Rotational Force. Mabus is in the region to meet with Sailors and Marines, and civilian and military officials, as part of a multi-nation visit to the U.S. European and Africa Command areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Arif Patani/Released)
SEC NAV Discusses Maritime Security, Partnerships in Romania
Story Number: NNS140613-02Release Date: 6/13/2014 8:51:00 AM
From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs
BUCHAREST, Romania (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Romania June 10-11 to reinforce the relationship between the United States Navy and Marine Corps and their NATO ally.
In meetings with senior government and military officials including Romania's Chief of the National Security Department, Dr. Iulian Fota, Minister of National Defense, Mircea Dusa, and Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Stefan Danila, Mabus addressed, among other issues, maritime security in the Black Sea region, Romanian support to the Black Sea Rotational Force and the strength of the partnership between the U.S. and Romania.
"I want to stress how much we value this relationship and how much effort we will continue to put into maintaining it at this level," said Mabus. "It is crucial to continue to find ways to train together, conduct exercises together and operate together. Interoperability is extremely important in today's security environment."
Mabus and Romanian officials also discussed the importance of the United States' European relationships and the importance of military cooperation amongst partners.
"Our attention and commitment to Europe has not diminished," said Mabus. "There should be no doubt about the strength of this relationship."
While in Romania, Mabus also stopped in Constanta to speak with Marines assigned to the Black Sea Rotational Force to thank them for their efforts in maintaining security in the region.
Mabus' stop in Romania is part of a multi-nation visit to the U.S. European and Africa Command areas of responsibility focused on reinforcing existing partnerships and visiting Sailors and Marines providing forward presence.
