[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 48 (Monday, December 2, 2002)]
[Pages 2084-2085]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Receiving the Star of Romania in Bucharest, Romania

November 23, 2002

    Mr. President, thank you so much for this honor. I accept the Star 
of Romania on behalf of my country, and I appreciate the spirit of 
friendship that this award represents.
    I want to thank the Prime Minister and members of your Government 
for such fine hospitality.
    Laura and I are honored to be here, and so is my Cabinet--members of 
my Cabinet, as well as senior members of my staff. We're here because 
America and the nations of the world have seen the courage and character 
of the Romanian people. You have liberated yourselves from tyranny. 
You're building a vibrant democracy. And you're preparing to join NATO. 
In all these events of history, America has been your friend, and we'll 
be proud to call you Ally.

[[Page 2085]]

    Mr. President, Romania and America share common values and common 
challenges. We will join together to open markets, to build a new 
relationship with Russia, to confront global terrorism, and to stop the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Europe and America face 
unprecedented dangers to our security, and we will face these dangers 
together.
    The Romanian people have made a great effort to meet the standards 
of NATO membership. That effort is succeeding. America respects all that 
you have done and all that you will do in the cause of freedom. And 
America will be your partner in continuing the work of reform.
    On behalf of the American people, I proudly affirm the close 
relationship between our countries, and I thank you for the honor of 
this award. May God bless Romania.

Note: The President spoke at 3:47 p.m. at Cotroceni Palace. In his 
remarks, he referred to President Ion Iliescu and Prime Minister Adrian 
Nastase of Romania.