ForMin Aurescu pleads for increased US economic presence in Romania, the region

Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Thursday met Chairman of the American-Romanian Business Council (AMRO) Eric Stewart, to whom he underscored the commitment of the Romanian authorities to deepen and increase the dynamics of the economic dimension of the strategic partnership between Romania and the US, pleading in favour of increased US economic presence in Romania and the region.

AMRO Chairman Eric Stewart
Photo credit: (c) Alex TUDOR / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

In a press release issued on Thursday, Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE) quotes Aurescu as having underscored the importance of a consolidated commitment on the part of the US to support the countries in the European Union's Eastern Neighbourhood, especially Moldova, including by investments in energy security.

The two officials exchanged opinions on how to improve the investment climate in Romania, with emphasis on the implementation of an action plan for good economic governance.

"Bogdan Aurescu hailed the important activity and part played by AMRO in promoting Romania as a destination of interest to American companies, as well as in boosting bilateral investment and commercial exchanges that contribute to Romania's economic growth. Also appreciated were the AMRO steps to increase Romania's profile in the US political quarters. In the context of the Romanian-US political dialogue, Aurescu voiced appreciation for AMRO's initiatives and projects in 2015, both in the US and in Romania, discussing with the AMRO chairman the prospects for new investment by American companies in Romania," according to the MAE release.

The officials also discussed Romania's access to the Visa Waiver programme, with Aurescu asking AMRO to continue its demarches, especially with the US...