The cancellation of the Romanian elections was taken into account when the Trump administration excluded our country in the Visa Waiver program, a note of the National Security Council shows
Donald Trump and JD Vance at Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, while counting votes, November 6, 2024. Photo: Evan Vucci / AP / Profimedia
“There are strict requirements to benefit from the Visa Waiver program, which it was not clear if Romania actually met when the Biden administration hastened in its last days. Separately, we are worried about the antidemocratic actions in Europe,” said an official of the White House quoted by Politico.
The US Internal Security Department has announced that Romania has been excluded from the Visa Waiver program, in part to “ensure border security and immigration control.”
But an internal note of the NSC (National Security Council), not previously published and obtained by Politico, shows that the Trump administration also considered another factor: the non -compliance by Romania of what the White House considered to be the democratic norms, after canceling the elections last year.
The memorandum that includes a “summary of conclusions” from the meeting of the Commission for the Coordination of NSC policies on March 14 shows that there have been some internal dissensions on this measure, writes Politico.
The US Embassy in Bucharest said that “the elimination of Romanian designation could lead to deterioration of the US image,” according to the document.
But the Commission, chaired by the senior director of NSC for Europe and Eurasia, Andrew Peek, said it is important to ensure that Romania “supports the democratic process and is carrying out free, correct and transparent choices.”
“We are worried about the antidemocratic actions in Europe.”
The meeting was organized to decide the contribution to a “wider administration effort to prevent damage to democratic norms and practices in Europe in general,” according to the memorandum.
“Protecting the integrity of our immigration and visa system is essential for ensuring our national security,” said a white (National Security Daily-Political Newsletter).
“There are strict requirements to benefit from the Visa Waiver program, which it was not clear if Romania actually met when the Biden administration hastened in its last days. Separately, we are worried about antidemocratic actions, including legal ones against certain points of view.”
The Embassy of Romania: “Such considerations regarding democratic norms” have not been part of our dialogue with American officials ”
The DHS spokesman, Tricia Mclaghlin, said he is “grateful for Romania's close partnership over the years to increase security cooperation” and that the country could be reconsidered for the program in the future. “
A spokesman for the Romanian Embassy said that such considerations on democratic norms “were not part of our dialogue with American officials” and that “based on the evaluation of American agencies that led to the designation as a VWP country, Romania has met the statutory requirements of the program,” writes Politico.
“Romania reiterates its full availability to engage in discussions with the United States, as close strategic partners, regarding the ways of approaching this problem,” added the spokesman.
“The decision to prohibit the candidacy of Mr. Călin Georgescu was taken within the constitutional existing by an independent authority – not by the Government of Romania,” said the Embassy official, quoted by Politico.
Romania, suspended, then excluded from Visa Waiver
The United States announced in March the suspension of Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver program.
On May 2, DHS announced the exclusion of Romania from the Visa Waiver 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.
