Prime Minister Ciolacu met with the delegation of the US Congress: “The US remains an indispensable ally for security in Europe”/ support for Visa Waiver

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, together with some of the ministers, discussed Tuesday afternoon with the delegation of the United States Congress, among the topics being the Transatlantic Security Partnership and the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver program.

A press release issued by the Victoria Palace states that the dialogue was an opportunity to provide “a clear and honest image” of the importance of the relationship between Romania and the United States, especially in the field of security.

“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 bilateral economic relationship and I trust that we will continue this approach with the new American administration, ”said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

What Americans said about Visa Waiver

The prime minister told American congressmans that Romania claims that the European members of NATO increase their defense expenses, mentioning that our country has respected for the ninth year in a row the commitment to allocate at least 2% of GDP for this purpose.

It was also discussed about Romania's accession to the Visa Waiver program, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stating that our country has met the necessary criteria, “some were even outdated.” At the same time, the head of the Romanian Government specifying that the Bucharest authorities are willing to contribute information to help the US effort to secure border.

“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 in this regard. 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, ”the Government statement said.

Guarantees given by Ciolacu

A paragraph in the document also refers indirectly to the annulment of last year's presidential elections and the concerns expressed American officials in relation to this subject.

“Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has highlighted the firm commitment of the government to defend democracy, the Euro-Atlantic orientation of Romania, to ensure the correctness and transparency of the democratic processes, as well as to guarantee freedom of expression”, says in the respective paragraph.

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.

Prior to the meeting at the Victoria Palace, the delegation of the US Congress had meetings with interim president Ilie Bolojan and with Romanian parliamentarians.