Întâlnirea premierului Marcel Ciolacu cu reprezentanții comunității de români din Statele Unite ale Americii

Marcel Ciolacu: Good evening! Thank you very much for having honored Mr. Ambassadors invitation! I would particularly like to thank you for being here on a Sunday.
This is the first time I am staying in the United States for more than 24 hours. Last time I was only transiting to South America, in a mission with the OSCE. However, 30 years ago, just like you, I too wanted to be a part of the Romanian diaspora, somewhere in Europe, in Great Britain. I did not succeed in this. My brother also tried. He stayed in Germany for about ten years and then returned to the country with his family.
Instead, after decades, I met last evening with my neighbor from early youth, who came here in 1990, to reunite with his mother, as he was not allowed it until then. And it was a joy for me to see Bogdan again, who has a wonderful family in the United States. Naturally, he was also successful like many of you in your profession. You are Romanias interface with the American people. If we can say, your presence here and your achievements in the United States of America enhance the respect of the American people for Romania and Romanians. I didnt come to make a speech. I am firmly convinced that every time politicians from Romania come here, Mr. Ambassador insists you be present. I firmly believe that you have been promised much and tens and hundreds of great projects have been designed. The vast majority, of course, have not been achieved. I did not come here to insist that you return to Romania, because I know that you will not do it. You settled and already have a family in the United States, and I hold the firm belief that it is very difficult for you to return to Romania at this point. Instead, we can develop things together.
I understood that this is the area where Romanians in cyber security are best represented. Romania needs this, especially in this context and not by chance, and I, the minister, and the ministers will have meetings with many companies from the United States because the main focus of our visit will be on the economy. We need companies from democratic, developed countries, especially in an exceptional security context. You know the reality in Romania as well as I do. I am firmly convinced that I cannot tell you a lot of news at a general level, perhaps particular or detailed things. We went through a pandemic, the same as you here, through an energy crisis, through exaggerated inflation, and more recently in Romania, we are also going through a regional security crisis and, last but not least, through a global security crisis, Romania sharing its longest border with Ukraine, and the truth is that Romania is currently standing behind the Ukrainian front. Romania could not have done this without its strategic partner, the United States of America.
Our greatest achievements after the Revolution: EU and NATO accession and the strategic partnership with the United States. Today we would not be talking about a consolidated democracy and stability in Romania, and we would not rest easy, if this partnership did not exist. As the ambassador said, I thank him very much in this way for accompanying me on this visit and honoring me with this demarche. We will have meetings with several decision-makers and we hope that our strategic partnership with the United States of America will become a partnership of friendship. I want that during my term, after a record of almost five billion dollars in trade relations with the United States, the USA will become the most important direct investor in Romania in all fields and the most important non-EU trade partner of Romania. Only in this way can we have a partnership of friendship and I am firmly convinced that the diaspora will then find a way to communicate better with the country, to develop projects together.
No matter how much the Government of Romania insists on the start-up nation program for the diaspora, the elite that is in this country needs something more. That is why, two days after the National Day of Romania, I would like to wish you many happy returns of the day and reassure you of my good faith and that of my colleagues. Romania, from my point of view and that of my colleagues, and as the current data show, is going in the right direction.
There are major investments in infrastructure. Next year, Romania will have, in my view, the biggest budget in its history for education, at all levels, for both teachers incomes and infrastructure and to combat school dropouts. The period of great promises will finally begin, like in all the campaigns by almost all parties, they will make promises about the much - awaited hospitals, as Romanians can only be kept in the country by developing public services and infrastructure.
And last but not least, even though an election year ensues, I will undertake reforms in the budget system. If we do not do this as of next year, Romania risks losing relevant sums from NRRP and European funds. And, regardless of whether or not they will bring electoral costs, we will see if they weigh heavily with Romanians next year when there are four rounds of elections, I cannot afford that after I leave this office and look in the mirror, I see that Romania has missed another train. Its not that it couldnt happen. The only problem, from my point of view, would be that it is Romanias last train. If we miss the NRRP projects and reforms and the accession to the OECD in the next period, Romania will no longer catch such a favorable train.
I am firmly convinced that, with your help, our soul project, of all Romanians, which is also the soul project right now of the United States Ambassador to Romania, lifting the visas and the Visa Waiver program, will become a reality as of 2025. However, we will not be able to overcome this challenge without your help and your personal involvement
Last but not least, Mr. Ambassador is younger than me. I think the greatest quality in politics is patience. I dont think there is much difference between politics and diplomacy. And I am firmly convinced that Mr. Ambassador has not yet lost his patience, as I have not done it many times and in more challenging contexts. The important thing is to see the mission we each have in a landmark moment for Romania and less for personal interests or outlooks. Thank you very much again!

Source: Gov