Why Romania was eliminated from the Visa Waiver program and what follows. Expert explanations in foreign policy
It has aroused numerous reactions the decision of the US administration to withdraw Romania from the Visa Waiver program that allows visa -free travel. A well -known analyst consulted by “Adevărul” explains why we must be optimistic.
Romanians will continue to enter with visa in America Photo Adevărul
Foreign policy analyst Stefan Popescu explained for “Adevărul” why we should not fall into a harmful anti-Americanism after the decision was announced and why we must have a moderate optimism.
“I think that the unfortunate coincidence of the moment when Romania had to enter this program, with the intention of the new American administration, to tighten the conditions of border control and especially the immigration and, of course, the interest to look in detail the question of criminality of foreign origin. The United States of America, with the illegally forcing the United States borders illegally. zero with all the files that were inherited from the Biden Administration. And I think here is the explanation of Romania's elimination from the Visa Waiver program. I think we have to keep calm, not to fall into an anti-Americanism that is harmful, it can only be harmful to Romania. And for the Schengen file I waited 10 years and yet I made constant efforts ”the analyst Ștefan Popescu believes.
The reputed analyst is convinced that at one point Romania will enter the Visa Waiver program, as it has entered the Schengen area.
Ștefan Popescu also stated what must be done in the next period and why the Romanians should not dramatize the decision of the American administration.
“The restoration of the dialogue with a new administration started. We had a delegation of some members of the Congress in Romania. We have a few delegated observers for the Romanian elections. So the contacts have started to be restored. I think we must look calmly, to make a realistic evaluation of the Romanian file together with the Washington authorities. We dramatize, because the dramatization only leads to the block.adds Stefan Popescu.
“The American visa gets very easy”
The foreign policy expert consulted by “Adevărul” came with a very important clarification.
“The decision of the Washington administration actually means the resumption of the process from scratch. It does not mean that Romania has now lost any chance to enter the United States. And it is an important aspect that needs to be considered. The American Visa gets very easy. Any good faith that has left as a simple tourist in the United States. The invitation of the US government. Formulate a conclusion. Under no circumstances is the trade between the United States and Romania. The strategic partnership is also not affected. Don't go in, we have to separate things. Much important was the Schengen file than the Visa Waiver process. The Romanian TIRs do not wait at the border with the United States. However, they were waiting for the borders with Hungary before entering Schengen ”says the well -known specialist.
Ștefan Popescu took his doctorate at the Sorbona in the history of contemporary international relations, and his doctoral thesis obtained the Summa Cum Laude distinction. He also has a master's degree in geopolitics at the University of Paris 1 – Sorbonne and at the Higher Normal School in Paris. During the doctoral studies he was a scholar of the University Agency of Francophonie and the French School of Rome.
Throughout his career he has been a counselor/chargé de mission at the High Council of Francophonie (2005-2006), a teacher-teacher invited to the History Center for Contemporary International Relations, Pierre Renouvin Institute of Paris 1-Sorbonne (2002-2008), counselor for Francophonie at the cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2012).
US announcement
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday May 2 that the US National Security Department made the decision to reconsider the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver program.
Initially, on January 10, 2025, before Joe Biden was replaced by Donald Trump at the White House, the US administration officially announced Romania's entry of Visa Waiver and was to be able to travel without visa in the US after March 31.
The American administration had been suspended for an unlimited time the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver program
Only on March 25, 2025, the US administration announced that it suspends unlimited Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver program, which means that Romanians will still need a visa to travel to the US.
