Published in supplement issue 3462 at 2005-07-04

Towards a more strategic dimension of bilateral relations

Interview with H.E. Mr SORIN DUCARU, Ambassador to Washington

How would you characterise the current stage of bilateral relations and which are the domains where there is still room for improvement?

2005 is a special year for the Romanian- American relationship. It marks 125 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between Romania and the US , and one year since we enjoy relationship which is defined by the status of ALLIES within NATO. The bilateral political dialogue has intensified the first half of this year through the March visit to Washington of President Traian Basescu . The meeting with President George W. Bush, as well as the press conference has emphasized the strengthening of the strategic dimension of bilateral relations and the “special ally” status of the relationship, according to the remarks of the US President.

The President of Romania has emphasized the relevance of Romanian-American relationship for the regional stability and democratic development in the Black Sea area.

Furthermore economic relations between our two countries have increased, with bilateral trade in the first six month of this year reaching their all time high (in comparison with previous six month accounts) and an increasing interest of investors in Romania .

What was the follow-up of the dialogue between Presidents George Bush and Traian Basescu ?

The high level political dialogue has continued with the visit to Washington of Romanian Foreign Minister Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu , his meeting with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and other American officials. In very concrete terms, we have intensified bilateral consultations on regional issues, the cooperation in the fight against terror, we have started formal negotiations on the potential US military facilities in Romania , and initiated talks for a prospective “visa waver road map”.

In the field of economic relations, the visit of President Basescu has been followed by a number of ministerial visits like the one of the Minister of the Economy, Ioan Codrut Seres , as well as the visit of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Zsolt Nagy. Both visits emphasized the potential of bilateral economic cooperation, especially in the energy, infrastructure and ITC sectors.

How is seen the policy of the new Administration in Bucharest , from Washington , especially the foreign theatre, in which the initiative to strengthen security in the Black Sea region stands out?

The American interest in the region is natural, given the fact that the broader Black Sea area is “the bridge” area between the trans-Atlantic community, the Broader Middle East, and the Caspian region. Romania is thus the natural partner of the US with is relevant size and location at the eastern border of NATO and the EU in the future, as well as due to its recognized contribution and support for regional stability, democracy and economic development.

What will be the significance of the presence of American troops in Romania ?

As a follow-up of President Basescu's visit to the USA , we moved from the stage of technical assessments on the issue of US military facilities in Romania , to the Phase of political-juridical negotiations. A US negotiating team has been visiting Romania in May, and talks with the Romanian counter-parts will continue over the next months. It is important to emphasize that this discussion is not about massive, cold-war style bases but about smaller size presence, which should meet the goals of mobility, flexibility and rapid reaction against the current threats towards international security, such as international terrorism. For the sake of accuracy, we are not even speaking about the possibility of future basis, but rather about military facilities with operational flexibility. For Romania this means a physical US military presence in Romania , with significant relevance for regional stability, as well as in the fight against terror. This also means the possibility of high standard common training of Romanian and American Troops. I would just mention in this respect the common military training exercise ROMEX 2005 which will take place this month in Babadag . In the sane sense, I would also emphasize the increased UE defence assistance for Romania .

Do you estimate that American companies have had a greater interest lately in Romania ?

In the first six months of this year, bilateral commerce reached an all time high, with an increase in Romanian exports to the USA of 37.5 per cent compared to the same period of last year, and an increase of American exports to Romania of 23.3 per cent. The improvement of the Romanian business climate, the new and lower fiscal rates, as well as the perspectives of EU membership determined an increased interest of the American business community, according to the most recent business presentations and meetings which I had in Washington DC, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Texas and Florida.

What are the perspectives for the Washington Administration to appoint at the soonest a new Ambassador to Bucharest ?

The nomination and confirmation of US ambassadors implies specific procedures which can be sometimes lengthy. Just recently the new US Ambassadors to NATO and the OSCE have been confirmed by the US Congress. I think the decision about a future Ambassador to Romania will be formal in the near future.

by Nine oClock