Economic Development and Security in the Black Sea Region

The conference assembled a prominent group of experts who examined economic and security issues affecting the Black Sea region, including U.S. and EU assistance in meeting the challenges the region now faces. Participants also assessed how regional cooperation among the Black Sea states can be enhanced through political, economic, and security instruments in the years ahead. Follow up work will include a CSIS report with concrete recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.

9:15 to 9:45 a.m.

• Remarks by Romanian President Traian Basescu via videoconference

9:45 to 11 a.m. Session I: Black Sea Economic Development

• Victor Babiuc, Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Jonathan Kimball, U.S. Department of Commerce [presentation]
• Julia Nanay, PFC Energy [presentation]

Audio (mp3, 1:03:39)

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Session II: Black Sea Security Challenges

• Jeffrey Simon, National Defense University
• Romania: Pavel Abraham, president, Romanian Anti-drugs National Agency
• Bulgaria: Elena Poptodorova, ambassador, Embassy of Bulgaria
• Ukraine: Volodymyr Dubovyk, Woodrow Wilson Center
• Moldova: Vlad Spanu, Moldova Foundation
• Turkey: Burak Akcapar, Embassy of Turkey
• Georgia: Khatia Dekanoidze, Embassy of Georgia

Audio (mp3, 1:31:46)

12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch Keynote Address

• Mark Pekala, deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs

Audio (mp3, 40:45)

1:45 to 3:30 p.m. Session III: American and European Roles

• Simon Serfaty, CSIS Europe Program
• Jonathan Davidson, European Commission Delegation
• Daniel Nelson, Strategic Partnerships LLC
• Peter F. Najera, Office of the Secretary of Defense

Audio (mp3, 1:37:16)