Aurescu: Topics of discussion with Victoria Nuland - strategic partnership and visa issues

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, has stated on Tuesday that on the agenda of discussions with the US Department of State Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, that will take place on Wednesday, are the political-military dimensions of the strategic partnership and the Visa Waiver program.

Photo credit: (c) Liviu SOVA / AGERPRES PHOTO

"On the agenda of bilateral discussions the main topics are: the political-military dimension of the strategic partnership, where the level reached is one of excellence, we will have this year a very important moment for the bilateral relationship, the operationalization of the missile shield in Deveselu that is to be finalized, and the next step is integrating it in the NATO anti-missile system. We will also discuss economic aspects of the bilateral relations, we will discuss the issues with the Visa Waiver [programme], about removing the visa regime for Romanian citizens that are traveling to the United States and other aspects pertaining to the bilateral relationship", said Aurescu at public radio broadcaster Radio Romania News.

He added that in the matter of visas Romania has obtained a constant decrease in the refusal rate, rate that in 2009 stood at approximately 26 percent, while in the fiscal year that has just ended it dropped to 9.8 percent.

"It is a considerable progress. Eliminating visas for Romanian citizens depends also on modifying American legislation in matters pertaining to the Visa Waiver, we need to see with the new American Congress what the prospects are for resuming these initiatives so that they allow for a raising of the refusal rate ceiling that currently sits at 3 percent. If it were possible it be raised to 10 percent...