The security of Romanians is ensured directly through the strategic partnership that our country has with the United States of America, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Wednesday at the Independence Day reception, organized at the U.S. Embassy in in Bucharest.

„At the level of Romanian society, there is a high degree of trust and respect towards the United States and I believe that this is primarily due to the fact that the security of our citizens is directly ensured through the strategic partnership we have with the United States of America”, said the head of the Government.

He highlighted that the bilateral relationship is based on common democratic values. „It is a relationship strengthened by Romania’s help for the efforts of the United States in the fight against terrorism, by the support given by the United States for the process of joining the OECD, as well as by our common membership in NATO and the clear bilateral commitment in support of Ukraine”, the prime minister said.

Marcel Ciolacu reiterated Romania’s efforts regarding military cooperation and support for Ukraine, as well as strengthening the Eastern Flank.

„I am reinforcing the interest in strengthening cooperation in the field of defense, including through the development of partnerships in the field of the defense industry,” said the prime minister.

Referring to commercial relations, he emphasized that „it is known that Romania owes its own economic growth partly to American investments”.

According to Ciolacu, in 2023 the trade between the U.S. and Romania was over 5.3 billion dollars, but „there is room for an increase”.

In this context, the prime minister set as a target the U.S.’s rise to the top 3 of foreign investors in Romania and to the first place among commercial partners outside of Europe. In this sense, he mentioned the far-reaching projects of the two countries that are to be implemented, including Units III and IV at Cernavoda and the SMR plant at Doicesti.

The theme of this year’s Independence Day reception is the world of film and bilateral collaboration in the film industry.

„The potential of this industry to contribute to Romania’s economic growth, but especially to strengthen Romania’s image at the level of the American and world public, must be capitalized on”, Ciolacu pointed out.

The prime minister also mentioned the prospects of our country. „Romania is a state in continuous growth and transformation. It is a state deeply engaged in the process of internal reforms, intended to lead not only to substantial economic growth, but to a better life for the Romanian people”, he specified.

AGERPRES