We want our friends in Africa to know they must have good highways and ports and airports and railroads to succeed in the global economy of the 21st century. We want them to know that transportation is about more than concrete, asphalt and steel. It is about people. It is about providing opportunity and mobility of people and ideas. It is about advancing the cause of freedom.
Transportation is the tie that binds.
And you will see ongoing efforts in the months ahead. Last month, we sponsored meetings in Harare, Addis Ababa, and Abidjan to assess and discuss the future of aviation services across Africa. We had people from 25 nations attend. And you can bet we will be following up. We are setting up a number of technical assistance programs to help nations develop their infrastructure.