Signing of the Declaration on principles of cooperation

for Romania’s access into the Visa Waiver Program

Romanian Ambassador Adrian Vierita and United States Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff signed, on November 3^rd, 2008, the Declaration between the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reform of Romania and the Department of Homeland Security of the United States regarding principles of cooperation on enhanced bilateral security measures for international travel and the requirements of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

The signing of the Declaration marks an important stage in the process of facilitating Romania’s access into the Visa Waiver Program. The Declaration confirms at political level the intentions of the respective authorities of two countries to cooperate towards implementation of a set of measures aimed at ensuring high security standards for international travel.

These measures are similar to those agreed by other Member States of the European Union who seek admission into the Visa Waiver Program. They refer to the introduction of electronic passports, creating an adequate framework for the exchange of information on lost and stolen passports, exchanging information on known and suspected terrorists, and establishing an air marshal program on all flights by U.S. carriers that proceed to, from, or over the United States. The application of these measures will increase the security of international travel, with direct benefits to both Romania and the United States, and to their citizens.

As these measures will progress, the Romanian and U.S. authorities will enter into separate agreements to cover the relevant aspects of the U.S. legislation. Romania’s evaluation for access into the Visa Waiver Program will depend on the completion of these measures and on the status of the visa refusal rate. The accepted refusal rate for program qualification, as provided by the U.S. law is 10%. Romania currently has a visa refusal rate of 25% (compared to 37,7% last year).

The U.S. authorities are committed to continuing to assist Romania in meeting the conditions required for access into the Visa Waiver Program.

Romania’s access into the Visa Waiver Program also remains a high priority for the European Union, as part of its efforts to create equal conditions for U.S. travel to all EU citizens.

During the signing ceremony, the two officials praised the importance of this moment in the development of the Romanian-American relations, an expression of the solid partnership and cooperation between the two countries.