Romania and the US consolidate ties

Romanian PM Marcel Ciolacu met in Washington with key members of the American executive

Bogdan Matei, 05.12.2023, 13:59

In the first years after the war, one of the myths that circulated among most anti-communist Romanians was that only the arrival of the Americans will put an end to the horrors of the dictatorship installed by the Soviet occupation troops. Allied during WW1 and the last part of WW2, Romania and the US had had a friendly relationship until the communists seized power. It took the 1989 Revolution for it to return to normal. Today, the two countries are allies within NATO and are linked by a strategic partnership of almost 30 years. Consolidating the bilateral relationship under this partnership, Romanias inclusion in the Visa Waiver program and security at the Black Sea are the stakes of the visit to the United States by the Romanian PM Marcel Ciolacu.

Romania was and is a highly valued partner and ally, and cooperation is stronger than ever, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during the meeting with the Romanian Prime Minister. Ciolacu promised Blinken that the Romanian Government will continue to ensure a safe and stable environment for investment, which should encourage American companies. Important steps have been taken for Romanias inclusion in the Visa Waiver program, Ciolacu has explained. The official announcement will be made next year, and from 2025 Romanians will be allowed to travel to the United States without visas.

Ciolacu is convinced that, when the war in Ukraine is over, Romania can become a hub for American companies that want to participate in the reconstruction of the neighboring country, devastated by the Russian troops. „Our great achievements after the Revolution are the EU and NATO membership and the strategic partnership with the United States. Today we wouldnt be talking about a consolidated democracy and stability and we wouldnt be sleeping peacefully in Romania without this partnership. I really want the United States to become the most important direct investor in Romania in all sectors and the most important non-EU investor”, Ciolacu said during his visit to the US.

The visit’s agenda also included meetings with the US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, and with the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin. Ciolacu promised the latter that Romania will maintain its commitment to allocate 2.5% of the GDP for defense and will continue to plead for an increased profile of the Black Sea on NATO’s agenda. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent, Lloyd Austin appreciated Bucharests efforts to stabilize the regional situation, disturbed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the progress made in the field of defense, by modernizing military equipment and infrastructure and strengthening cyber security. (EE)