U.S Ambassador to Romania, Kathleen Kavalec, was interviewed by filmmaker John Florescu for Alianta, a Washington, DC-based national organization of Americans, US companies and other institutions working to strengthen the cultural, economic, and security ties between the United States and Romania.
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation.
On the economy:
Romania’s “per capita income, I think most importantly was 44% of the EU average when I was here before, and now it’s 77% of the EU average. So that’s a huge jump. There have been over 60 billion in EU funds invested.
Overall trade has increased. Imports have doubled. Exports have tripled. The trade with the United States has tripled. The number of US companies here has doubled. There are some areas where I noticed there hasn’t been as much progress as I would’ve hoped. In road construction, for example.
There are a couple of new airports and some more coming now online, but I think overall road and rail infrastructure has not advanced as much as one might have hoped.
On Romania’s relationship with the United States:
I see that the relationship with the United States has strengthened and deepened and is, I think. very healthy and strong and improving all the time. I think that, it’s based on shared values, shared democratic values shared interest in economic prosperity, and a shared view of security.
In the region Romania is playing a very important role in terms of the alliance within the alliance and as a partner for the United States and has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine since the war has begun.
On Romanian political party AUR:
Asked about the nationalist AUR party, she said: “I don’t think it’s unusual in this day and age. But I do think, you know that this country has a clear direction in terms of its adherence to NATO to the EU to Western values. I don’t see this as a major threat to that, but I do think it’s reflective of larger trends in the region.
On American troops in Romania, Ukraine and the region:
We have a little over 3,000 American troops in country now. They are exercising with Romanian forces and allied forces with other countries who have a troop presence here.
The French have about 1,000 troops in country now. And there are other countries with smaller contingents and what’s the purpose? The purpose is first of all, first and foremost, to strengthen deterrence.
“I’d say Poland and Romania together are the backbone of the alliance,” in the region.
“We know from history that there will have to be a big effort in reconstruction and obviously neighbors who are nearby and have capabilities are in a good position. Romania has been one of the proponents of the three Cs initiative to improve infrastructure transportation within Europe.
And I think that will help, that should help benefit reconstruction of Ukraine as well. I think … Romania has been such a strong supporter of Ukraine throughout this period in terms of receiving refugees and assisting those that choose to stay here in terms of helping ensure that Ukrainian grain can get out and get to markets.
On bilateral cooperation, visa waiver:
Our law enforcement is present here in the country working with partners in the justice ministry and in other agencies in combating organized crime in improving participating in training and things like that. So, we’ll continue all those activities and look for opportunities to improve.
“We are this is an area where I would love during my mandate to see Romania join visa waiver program. And we’re working closely with the Romanian government on the two parts of the effort that are involved. The first has to do with setting up information, sharing and procedures.
That make visa waiver work in terms of, sharing information about problematic individuals or things like that. But the second part has to do with the what’s called the refusal rate, the percentage of Romanians who are turned down for a visitor visa. It only applies to visitor visas.
And the US law is written, has a very low threshold for that rate. Can be, it has to be 3% or under….. Carry out an education campaign to help people be more successful as when they do apply for visas to explain the types of visas so that people apply for the right kind of visas, for example, that they don’t try to go work in the United States on a tourist visa.
And I think the trends are all in the right direction. So I’m generally optimistic. It will take a little time because the measurement is based on year from October to October.
On Romania’s dynamic economy:
Romania is a net importer now of employees. They are, I’m sure many of you know that. Now there are people coming in from Nepal and Sri Lanka filling service jobs. So there’s a lot of competition for labor.
“I think Romania is people generally feel safe here. They feel, that this is a hospitable place. And I think the other thing I appreciate and admire about the Romanians, I know people worry about the education system, but lots of very smart and intelligent Romanians.
I don’t know whose measure it is, but they I’ve seen a claim that, they’re among the strongest IT professionals in Europe. We see lots of Romanians succeeding in Silicon Valley. There was always a strong sciences, here and there still is. “
