Kathleen Kavalec participates in the officiating of the US decision regarding the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver program
The Ambassador of the United States of America in our country, Kathleen Kavalec, participates, on Friday, in the event to officiate the US decision regarding the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver program.
“Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the ambassador of the United States of America in our country, HE Kathleen Kavalec, will participate today, starting at 3:00 p.m., in the official event of the decision of the US authorities regarding the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver Program, organized at the Victoria Palace. This decision strengthens the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the USA and is a recognition of the efforts sustained in recent years to meet the criteria for inclusion in the Visa Waiver program”, announced the Executive.
According to the cited source, in order to meet the criteria for joining the Visa Waiver Program, Romania has implemented the following measures:
A. Decrease in refusal rate to 2.61%
The reduction of the refusal rate for the granting of visas for the USA was possible as a result of several approaches:
1. The Romanian government launched the campaign “We qualify Romania for the Visa Waiver Program” through which US B1/B2 visa renewals were encouraged and boosted.
2. The Government also supported and encouraged the employees of the central public administration, with priority those in the fields of defense, public order, national security, justice and foreign affairs, to obtain any type of US visa.
3. In September 2023, discussions were initiated with several professional organizations as a result of which, with the support and participation of the US Embassy in Bucharest, their members were given priority and speed in obtaining the visa.
B. Technical security criteria
1. The conclusion of the Partnership for border security with the USA
The MAI, together with the DHS, established a partnership for securing the borders of the two states, which involves an automated exchange of data and information through an IT platform (Secure Real-Time Platform).
2. Implementation of the ATS-G program (Automated Targeting System – Global)
On January 19, 2024, the Agreement was concluded between the Government of Romania and the Government of the United States of America on collaboration in the use of travel information, effective from August 28, 2024.
3. Consolidation of the integrity of the Romanian citizenship granting process
Legislatively, Emergency Ordinance no. 100/2024 regarding the amendment and completion of the Romanian Citizenship Law no. 21/1991 and Government Decision no. 1,033 of August 21, 2024 for establishing the technical specifications regarding the collection and electronic storage of biometric data collected according to the provisions of the Romanian Citizenship Law no. 21/1991.
Through these changes, the collection and verification of biometric data is introduced in the process of granting Romanian citizenship and the electronic citizenship card.
4. Strengthening the integrity of the process of issuing travel documents
Law no. 174/2024 for the amendment and completion of Law no. 248/2005 regarding the regime of free movement of Romanian citizens abroad, adopted in June 2024, aimed at limiting the issuance of the temporary passport in favor of the electronic passport, a travel document with a higher level of security.
5. Intensification of police cooperation with the USA
In order to support Romanian-American cooperation in the field of law enforcement, the dialogue with the partner American authority (Homeland Security Investigations) began in 2023 for a Memorandum of Cooperation for the creation, in Bucharest, of a Cross-Border Crime Investigation Unit that would allow joint investigation of cross-border crimes and to combat migrant trafficking.
Source: www.mediafax.ro
