Breaking Homeland Security excluded Romania from the Visa Waiver program. MAE: “We regret this decision”

The United States announced, on Friday night, the exclusion of Romania from the Visa Waiver program, which assumed that Romanians can travel without visas, for tourist or business purposes. The announcement was made by the US Internal Security Department and was immediately followed by reactions in Bucharest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it regrets the decision, pointing out that Romania has met all the requirements to be included in this program.

“Today, the Department of Internal Security, in consultation with the State Department, has canceled the designation of Romania within the Visa Waiver (VWP) program,” announces a DHS statement.

In the statement, he also writes that “maintaining the high standards of the Visa Waiver program is essential for our security”.

“In view of the emphasis placed by this administration on the security of border and immigration, the secretary of internal security decided, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to cancel the designation of Romania within the VWP with immediate effect,” said Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, according to the statement.

MAE: “A political decision that is at the latitude of the American authorities and reflects the priorities of the administration”

In a statement broadcast on Friday night, the Foreign Ministry announces that “Romania has been aware with regret that the United States National Security Department has made the decision to reconsider the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waver program.”

“This possibility is provided in the Visa Waver Agreement”, noting that “the decision comes in the context in which the American authorities have made an absolute, political and technical priority, from the protection of border and the combating of illegal immigration.”

“We regret this decision given that Romania has fulfilled all the elements that the American law stipulates for access to the Visa Waver program. This is a political decision that is at the latitude of the American authorities and reflects the administration's priorities. Romania and the US remain partners determined to strengthen cooperation in all areas. Diplomatic and technical steps to obtain the Visa Waver regime for the citizens of Romania ”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We recall that, at the end of March, just a few days before the date on which the United States government had to enter into force, announced that it revises Romania's recent inclusion in the Visa Waiver program, to “ensure its strict security requirements.” And during this review, the United States also suspends the implementation of the electronic travel authorization system (ESTA) for Romanian citizens, the Washington Internal Security Department (DHS) then announced.

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