I would like to thank the prefect (Mr Ion Vargau), the County Council President (Mr Georghe Bonduc) and the mayor of Tulcea (Mr Constantin Hodja), and the representatives of Aker Tulcea (uttales tultja) for a very warm and friendly welcome to Tulcea and to the shipyard.

I am very glad to visit the city of Tulcea – a very old city at the “gates of the Danube Delta”.

Mr. Reite’s briefing has given me a very good introduction to what you are doing here and the impressive results you have achieved.

Today representatives of our governments and companies have gathered at a Business Forum in Bucharest to strengthen our trade and business relations. Prime Minister Nastase and I agreed yesterday that these are priority areas in our relations.

Shipping, shipbuilding and the maritime field area are very interesting areas for both our countries reflecting our long history as seafaring and maritime nations.

This is clearly demonstrated here at Aker Tulcea. Major investments and restructuring have been undertaken to make the shipyard more competitive and effective. I am sure that this has not been without challenges and sacrifices.

You have produced 40 hulls for Norwegian shipyards in four years, and employed 2300 people. The ship hulls and ships produced in Romania and exported to Norway comprise the single most important item in the trade between our two countries. Last year this trade totalled USD 190 million.

This co-operation is beneficial to both countries. The Aker yards in both Norway and Romania have been able to stay competitive and maintain jobs levels.

I would also like to thank the Prefect and the Mayor in particular for your interest in, and co-operation with, the Aker Tulcea yard. I appreciate your contributions to making this important company successful for both Tulcea and the Aker yards in Norway.

I wish the yard and Tulcea continued success with shipbuilding and, once again, would like to thank you for the hospitality you have shown me and my delegation.