The Romanian ambassador to the US about the Visa Waiver program: “We expect some developments in a few weeks or months”
Romania's ambassador to the USA, Andrei Muraru (photo: Inquam Photos / Eduard Vînătoru)
Andrei Muraru, Romania's ambassador to the US, told Digi24 that he is expecting “some developments” regarding the re -admission of our country in the Visa Waiver program. Muraru claims that there is no impediment to the inclusion of Romania in the program.
“We do not know how long it will take, there is no term, but we know that Romania is completely aligned with Visa Waiver standards. We expect to have some developments in the next period, that is, in a few weeks and months,” said Andrei Muraru.
“I think others are inspired by us”
The ambassador claims that he has constant meetings with the representatives of the State Department and the Department for Internal Security related to the reintegration of Romania to Visa Waiver.
Muraru said that there are other states in the situation of Romania, but our country would be more advanced in reaching the conditions required by the American side. “I believe that others are inspired by us because Romania fully meets the conditions and, in terms of standards, we are more advanced,” said Andrei Muraru.
He gave exemplified by the condition that no more than 2% of those who receive a visa exceed the deadline. In the case of Romanians, the percentage is just over 1%.
“We had an unpleasant situation. Romania was caught in the transition from a democratic administration to a republican one and this made those who made the power to reconsider the decision taken by the former administration (…) I remain optimistic because I know where we are and today there is no impediment,” says Andrei Muraru.
He also said that the number of Romanian citizens who are in the centers for the repatriation of the illegal in the US is below 50, and Romania is ready to take over them at any time.
Romania, excluded from the program two months ago
On May 2, the United States announced 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 announced in a statement that it regrets the decision, stressing 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.
The statement states that “maintaining the high standards of the Visa Waiver program is essential for our national 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.
