U.S. Ambassador to Romania, Adrian Zuckerman, says the country will attract more foreign investment if it guarantees the rule of law, has political stability and respects private enterprise.
Mr. Zuckerman said Friday that Romania needed “predictable, stable free markets and private industry,” at a ceremony to mark the delivery of dozens of Ford’s customized vehicles to the Romanian Border Police.
“The Romanian Border Police are an essential partner of the United States Department of Justice in combating trafficking in persons – which as you are all aware, is one of my foremost priorities – and in fighting cross-border crime, “ the Ambassador said at the ceremony.
Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, Ford Romania President Ian Pearson. and Ford Romania Managing Director Cristian Prichea were present at the event at the embassy.
Ford Romania will deliver 50 Transit All-Wheel-Drive Vans to Romania’s Border Police, a statement on Friday said.
Mr. Zuckerman said the work done by police was a key element of bilateral relations. “They … collaborate with our Department of State and Department of Energy in the international fight against terrorism, nuclear smuggling, and stopping the flow of counterfeit products and contraband,” he said.
“Without the Border Police, much of what we cherish would be under immediate threat.”
The Ambassador also used the occasion say that “respect for the rule of law, the democratic process, stability and a thriving respect for private enterprise will bring in foreign investors and drive the Romanian economy to great heights.”
He said Orban’s Liberal government “recognizes these values and is putting them into action to develop Romania and make it Great!”
Romania’s automotive sector is worth almost 14% of Romania’s GDP and 26% of Romania’s exports.
Ford has more than 6,200 employees and has invested more than 1.5 billion euros over the past 12 years in its plant in the southern city of Craiova.
Bilateral trade exceeds 3 billion dollars annually.
