Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec at the Event Formalizing the Decision of the U.S. authorities regarding Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program

January 10, 2025   Mr. Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Distinguished Guests,   It is my pleasure to announce that today, in Washington, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas formally designated Romania as the 43rd country to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.    This is a historic moment for our bilateral relationship, and the result of several years of work between our two governments.    For over 28 years, the United States and Romania have benefited from a strategic partnership based on shared democratic values, expanding economic and cultural ties, and cooperation on security and defense as close NATO Allies and partners.   Now, with today’s announcement, it is clear that our relations are only getting stronger.     The Visa Waiver Program enhances our mutual security, economic, and cultural interests, as well as our people-to-people ties.    I expect it will supercharge our relationship, giving a boost to our growing economic ties, encouraging more investment in both directions.    Speaking of which, it’s worth mentioning once again that the United States moved up last year to become the fourth largest foreign director investor in Romania, up from position number five.  With this news today, I expect we will keep moving up.   Today Romania is further integrated into an international network of cooperation, one that makes both of our countries stronger, safer, and more secure.   Upon implementation, most Romanian travelers visiting the United States for business or tourism will no longer need to go in person to obtain a physical visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.    Instead, approvals to travel visa-free will be processed online, usually in less than three days.  This will save time and money for Romanians traveling to the U.S. and lower barriers for Romanian businesses seeking to partner with American businesses.    Romanians can now more easily take advantage of last-minute travel deals to the U.S. – for holidays, concerts, performances, and sporting events, for example.    This will also facilitate travel for important life celebrations with friends and loved ones in the United States, like births, baptisms, graduations, and weddings.      Of course, following today’s announcement it will take some time for the required systems to go online for Romanian travelers.    In the coming weeks, we will announce the exact date when the online visa waiver system goes into effect.  Our Embassy website will have all the details on how to travel to the United States without a visa.    But today we want to take a moment to celebrate this important step – which, by the way, I am happy to note comes on the heels of Romania’s entry into full Schengen, a step the United States also strongly supported.  Congratulations to Romania on this important accomplishment, which also helps facilitate travel, including of Americans entering Romania!   But back to Visa Waiver – now is the right time to thank the many people who helped to make this happen.    Prime Minister Ciolacu - your leadership of Romania’s government effort motivated your team to overcome challenges and successfully meet the visa waiver program requirements.    State Secretary Necula - through the many agencies within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you ensured Romania was ready and able to implement every aspect of this agreement.    Former Minister Odobescu and State Secretary Tinca, I want to thank you for your partnership in advancing this program -- as well as all of the colleagues the Foreign Ministry who contributed to making this day possible.     Thank you to the members of the Romanian Parliament for your advocacy and legislative support.  Your expertise and support was critical to this effort.    Mr. Sporis and Ms. Pupazeanu, I want to thank the American Chamber of Commerce and all of its many member companies that supported the effort to push Romania over the finish line.   Let me also convey my appreciation to our many Romanian friends, including INNA, Antonia, Bogdan Ivanel, and the Romanian National Rugby Team, for volunteering their voices to amplify our message about the benefits of supporting our visa waiver campaign.   I am honored to see that another key supporter of our effort – a true Ambassador of Romania and a friend of the United States going back to a special day in 1994 – Gheorghe Hagi – is here with us today to mark this special moment.  Thank you for your support, and for being with us here today.     I hope the Romanian National Football Team will qualify for the World Cup 2026, also hosted on the United States’ territory.  I know that Hagi and many other football-loving Romanians will want to be there to support “Tricolorii.”  And I do hope many of you will be able to travel to Los Angeles to cheer on Romania at the 2028 Olympics.    Speaking of which, thank you to those who have expressed support in the wake of the tragic fires in my home state.   It means a lot to hear from our friends in difficult times.   I want to also thank our friends in the Romanian press for helping publicize our campaign to bring Romania into the Visa Waiver Program.    Today’s success would not have happened without the support from all my colleagues at the U.S. Embassy.   A special thanks goes to our Consular team, led by John Gimbel and Thomas Bills, for all the hard work that made this possible.    Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize Romania’s National Coordinator for the Visa Waiver Program, Valentin Vatajelu.    Valentin – thank you for your partnership and coordination throughout this effort.  You have been a wonderful partner on this project, and in all your capacities in working with the United States Government.    Congratulations Romania and Happy New Year!  We look forward to seeing you in the United States very soon.   (Source: Public Diplomacy – Press Office U.S. Embassy-Bucharest) (Photo:https://gov.ro/)