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| Top-level US-Romanian Talks |
| (2011-09-14) |
| Last updated: 2011-09-15 14:10 EET |
Uncertain until the very last moment, the meeting in Washington between the American and Romanian presidents did take place after all. It coincided with the signing by the two states of an agreement under which Romania is to host elements of the American defence system in Europe. US president Barack Obama congratulated his Romanian counterpart for the conclusion of this agreement, which the US sees as evidence of Romania’s commitment to strengthen NATO and provide its allies with the capabilities required to face the threats of the 21st century.
A signatory of the agreement alongside US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, the Romanian foreign minister Teodor Baconschi said: “President Traian Basescu’s visit to Washington confirms this common approach to global security and a signature today of this agreement which is one of the focal points of this visit expresses our commitment most eloquently. It also sets a new stage in our relation, confirming that our strategic partnership has broadened and deepened.”
This partnership now goes beyond security and military cooperation to go into areas such as investment and education. The two sides also tackled the issue of visas for Romanian citizens wishing to travel to the United States. Bucharest wants these visas to be eliminated, but the high percentage of rejected applications for US visas, 25%, means it is far from seeing this goal come true for the time being. The American side has promised, however, to improve criteria for granting visas.
Hillary Clinton: "You are not the only country that I feel very strongly about trying to change the criteria. Our Polish friends feel exactly the same way. So as the minister said, we are working in our Administration to present legislation that would create a change in criteria that would enable us to have greater interactions between Americans and Romanians. Until we get that change, because if I could sign a document I would but I have to go through the Congress, we’re going to be working closely with Romania to make sure that we provide whatever technical assistance is needed to try to improve the process in Romania, so we at least get as many people visas and we move closer toward the existing targets on visa waiver.”
The signing of the Romanian-American agreement on the anti-missile shield has sparked Russia’s reaction. The foreign ministry in Moscow has again called for firm legal guarantees from the United States and NATO that the anti-ballistic elements installed in Europe will not be targeting Russia’s strategic nuclear forces. President Traian Basescu gave assurances that the anti-missile system is purely defensive.
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