Ambassador Zuckerman
Opening Remarks, Intellectual Property Crime and Cybercrime during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Thursday, April 30, 14:00
(As delivered)
Thank you very much Kristin. It’s a pleasure for me to participate in this webinar
Welcome to the U.S. Embassy’s first webinar on combatting crimes being committed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This pandemic is placing strains upon us – personally, institutionally, and as a society – that are unprecedented in modern times. While we are working together to overcome these challenges, at the same time criminals are working to achieve their own goals: target the most vulnerable in their greatest time of need in order make profit for themselves. Criminal organizations, by sowing dissention through cybercrime and selling counterfeit products seek to profit from others’ desperation.
Yet, through it all, the United States, Romania and our European partners stand together – now and always – to confront these criminals. Their illegal and immoral acts will not go unanswered; we will do everything we can to bring them to justice. By doing so, we are not just stopping criminals but also helping to ensure the health and safety of our communities.
I want to thank Scott Karin and his team and all of the Embassy law enforcement personnel for doing such a great job on this webinar and all of their other programs and undertakings. I want to also thank the U.S. Department of Justice, INTERPOL and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Your willingness to organize this event is commendable. I also want to thank EUROPOL, Homeland Security Investigations, the Food and Drug Administration and the Council of Europe for participating and sharing their expertise with us. It is only through this close cooperation, coordination and sharing of information that we will be able to stop international criminals who victimize all of us and our civil institutions.
I want to give my sincere thanks to my friend Justice Minister Predoiu for all of his hard work and dedication in rebuilding the Romanian justice system after it had been decimated over the last several years.
Lastly, I want to thank those of you in the audience, the officers, agents and prosecutors of Romania, who every day take up the fight against these criminals. I know you are working long and hard hours under extremely difficult conditions. You are true testaments to the dedication of your profession and we owe you all a debt of gratitude. Thank you. The United States is – and always will be – your partner.
We are here shoulder to shoulder with you. Together we are stronger and together we will persevere and overcome.
Thank you, each and every one of you, for everything you do to protect us every single day. God bless you.
