Romania and the US reconfirmed on Monday in Washington
\ntheir commitment to consolidating the Strategic Partnership, covering areas
\nfrom military and security cooperation to political cooperation, economy,
\nenergy and grassroots relations.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised,
\nduring the meeting with the Romanian diplomacy chief Bogdan Aurescu, that Romania
\nis a stalwart
\nNATO Ally and the 2 countries work
\nclosely together on many topics. We stand united in the face of the challenges
\nposed by Russia in various places, by China. We stand united as regards Europe’s
\nsecurity and stability, the US Secretary of State also pointed out. According to
\na press release by the US State Department, the 2 officials agreed
\nto collaborate on Black Sea security issues, among others. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
In turn, Bogdan Aurescu told Radio Romania that all
\nthe dimensions of the Strategic Partnership were discussed during the bilateral
\ntalks: <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Bogdan Aurescu: We discussed first of all our
\ncooperation within NATO, the need to consolidate defence and deterrence on the
\nEastern Flank, especially at the Black Sea, in the context of the latest
\nsecurity developments in the region, and we also discussed the importance of an
\nenhanced military presence of the US in the region and obviously in Romania. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The Romanian foreign minister also pointed out the
\nimportance of developing some major strategic interconnection projects,
\nRail2Sea and Via Carpathia. These projects will have a direct positive impact both
\non the region’s economic development, and on military mobility. As regards
\nbilateral economic cooperation, Bogdan Aurescu stressed the need for increasing
\nAmerican investments in the region. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
He also reiterated Romania’s interest in concrete
\nprogress with respect to Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver programme, so
\nas to scrap visa requirements for the Romanians traveling to the US. He called
\nfor the involvement of the American side in meeting this goal, among others by
\nsupporting an adequate communication campaign to help lower the visa refusal
\nrate, which is the last criterion yet to be met by Romania. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Bogdan Aurescu: Obviously, at present we are dealing
\nwith a refusal rate standing at 10.14%, as against the 3% ceiling stipulated by
\nthe American legislation. This is why we need common goals, so as to find out
\nprecisely the reasons that lead to this visa refusal rate and to be able to
\ncalibrate a public information campaign. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n