MP Birchall visits US, talks strategic partnership, Visa Waiver program in Washington DC

MP Ana Birchall of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies and high governmental representative for European affairs and partnership with the US, is paying an official visit to the US, March 23-28 to discuss parliamentary diplomacy cooperation as well as consolidating and deepening the strategic partnership between Romania and the US.

Photo credit: (c) Cristian NISTOR / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

In her conversations in the US, Birchall also discussed Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Protocol (TTIP), the possibility of Romania being included in the Visa Waver program, the latest developments in Moldova, economic and energy security cooperation, the European Union's Eastern Neighbourhood, the crisis in Ukraine, and the danger of terror threats spreading.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, in the first leg of her visit Birchall met members of the US Congress in Washington, including Jackie Walorski, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Dana Rohrabacher, Ted Poe, Tom Marino and Steve Chabot.

"Romania remains a trustful partner of NATO and the US, as it is a strategic ally especially in its geographical region, which is a region of critical import to Euro-Atlantic security. (...) Romania is a pillar of security and stability in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea zone, while the deployment of the missile defense shield provides Romania with the strongest security guarantee in case of external ballistic threats," Birchall is quoted as having said in her conversations.

Birchall also met Jennifer Duck, chief of staff of Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Intelligence Committee and the sponsor of a draft law concerning immigration. At the meeting, the Romanian official...