Thank you very much, President Demirel, Prime Minister Bondevik, and especially to the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, for whom this day is especially meaningful.
Today is the culmination of a long effort and a new beginning.
For centuries, the Caspian region has been critical to the crossroads of human events, but never more so than today. These agreements which were just signed are truly historic. They will advance the prosperity and security of a region critical to the future of the entire world. What happens to these lands on the ancient Silk Road will have an impact on everything from the future of Russia to the security of Europe, to the relationship between the West and the Muslim world, to the strength of the global economy and the continued growth of the American economy. We have done so for four very good reasons.