Ciolacu, meeting with the delegation of the American Congress: the US remains an indispensable ally for security in Europe. Support for Visa Wiaver
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Victoria Palace, a meeting with a delegation of the United States Congress led by Vern Buhanan, the president of the Partnership for Democracy of the Chamber of Representatives, who pay a visit to Romania.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu Photo: Inquam Photos
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu claimed that this visit was “An opportunity to strengthen the dialogue of the Romanian side with The American Congress and to offer, at the same time, a clear and honest image of the importance of the relationship between Romania and the United States ”.
“Between Romania and the United States of America are background relationships, both on the strategic and economic side. said Marcel Ciolacu.
In the context of the analysis regarding the current global situation, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu emphasized the need for a robust transatlantic partnership.
“The US remains an indispensable ally in ensuring security in Europe. Romania is and will remain a pillar of transatlantic cohesion on the eastern flank of NATO, the closest, active and predictable United States in the Black Sea region. Built a highly applied bilateral economic relationship and I trust that we will continue this approach with the new American administration ”, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
The head of the Executive mentioned, in this context, that Romania fully supports the objective for the European allies to strengthen their own forces and to assume additional responsibilities, being fully committed to ensure support as a host country for Allied troops and to further enhance the capabilities and capabilities of the Romanian armed forces.
“In 2025, for the ninth consecutive year, we allocated at least 2% of GDP for defense, with the possibility of extending 2.5% for endowment. When establishing this budget I took into account the security situation near the border, the country's belonging and the EU missions, but also our objectives to dynamize the national industry”, ” said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu
What has been discussed about the Visa Waiver program
Another topic of interest in today's discussions at the Victoria Palace was Romania's accession to the Visa Waiver program.
“Romania has met all the necessary criteria, some have been overcome and we are convinced that this qualifies us to become members of the program. We will maintain the cooperative approach and we will provide American partners with all our contribution to the US Efforts and Borders”, The head of the Executive gave assurances.
The delegation of the Congress of the United States of America, led by the president of the Partnership for Democracy of the Chamber of Representatives, Vern Buhanan, sent messages to support Romania's accession to the Visa Wiaver program, given that our country has met all the technical criteria and worked closely with the US Embassy.
Representatives of both parties, Republican and Democrat, said that “The inclusion in the Visa Waiver program is a won merit of Romania and will take steps to make this program active for Romanian citizens as soon as possible.”
Also, during the meeting at the Victoria Palace, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu highlighted the firm commitment to defend democracy, the Euro-Atlantic orientation, to ensure the correctness and transparency of the democratic processes, as well as to guarantee freedom of expression.
The delegation of the US Congress was part: Vern Buhanan (Republican – Florida), Dina Titus (Democrat – Nevada), Lloyd Doggett (Democrat – Texas), Ted Lieu (Democrat – California), Neal Dunn (Republican – Florida), Ilhan Omar (Democrat – Minnesota), Anna Paulina Luna (Republican – Florida) and Andy Ogles (Republican – Tennessee).
From the Government, together with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacșu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Cătălin Predoiu, National Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvă, Minister of Economy, Digitization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Minister of Tourism, Bogdan, Emilian-Horațiu Hurezeanu, the head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Stefan-Radu Oprea.
