Cristian Diaconescu – Hillary Clinton Meeting

Date: 05.08.2009

The Minister of Foreign Affairs met today, May 8, 2009, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in the first high level bilateral meeting after the installation of the new democratic administration at the White House.

Minister Diaconescu stated that the meeting had been an opportunity to reconfirm together the strategic partnership between Romania and the United States.

“We agreed together that the Black Sea and Eastern Europe are areas of great potential for democratic and economic development in the future. And I can tell you that United States together with Romania will work hard in order to address democracy values, in order to respect standards, and to engage in projects for stability and security of these regions” added the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“We addressed the issue of how we are going to work together to facilitate reciprocal travel for our citizens through Romania’s inclusion in Visa Waiver Program”, stated the Romanian Minister. He also underlined that the discussions regarding issues of priority interest in the bilateral relations had been focused on the strengthening of the economic component of the strategic partnership.  

 On the agenda of discussions there also were issues like the energy security, which is extremely important for both countries, and the cooperation in the operation theatres in Afghanistan and Iraq, where “Romania proved readiness and willingness to assume our shared responsibility, also in the future in support of freedom and democratic developments which really together with United States, we hope to be fulfilled as soon as possible”, stated Cristian Diaconescu.    

At his turn, the US Secretary of State recalled the longstanding work together between Romania and the USA on global security priorities and expressed her gratitude for Romania’s commitment to missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo. Hillary Clinton thanked as well for Romania’s decision to host joint military exercises with the US military. “Romania is one of our most dependable allies and most respected partners”, concluded the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.