embassy events 2009

Ambassador Ashe visits Sopot

26 June 2009

Ambassador Ashe with Deputy Foreign Minister Jacek Najder (left) and Steve Schlein, Director for Transnational Issues at the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense

On June 23-24, Ambassador Ashe participated in the Regional Operational Expert Group meeting of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in Sopot, Poland.  The meeting--organized and hosted by the Polish government--gathered experts from over 30 countries to discuss best practices in preventing the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials, with an emphasis on the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles and the commitment that participating countries made to it.

"I congratulate the Polish government for its leadership in organizing this event, which plays a vital role in enhancing European and international cooperation in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction," Ambassador Ashe told the group, "such efforts are vital to our collective security."

Ambassador Ashe was briefed by the official U.S. delegation to the PSI meeting--which was led by Tony Foley, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Counterproliferation and Steve Schleien, Director for Transnational Issues at the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Ambassador Ashe also welcomed the participation of South Korean delegates, whose government endorsed of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Statement of Interdiction Principles in May 2009.

• Opening Remarks by Acting, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Tony Foley