Embassy Press Release

U.S. Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security Dr. Richard C. Barth Visits Romania for Talks on Visa Waiver Program

April 17, 2008

Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security Dr. Richard C. Barth (Photo: dhs.gov)

Dr. Richard C. Barth, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy Development of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, met on April 17 with Minister of Interior and Administrative Reform Cristian David and with other officials in his Ministry and in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss Romania’s progress towards meeting the criteria for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program. U.S. Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman also attended.

Dr. Barth’s visit is a part of the continuing dialogue between the U.S. and Romanian Governments about the Visa Waiver Program. Dr. Barth observed that the U.S. and Romania have a strong partnership, demonstrated by the success of the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest. He noted that President Basescu and PM Tariceanu both told President Bush they wanted to see Romania join the Visa Waiver program as soon as possible. Dr. Barth stressed that the U.S. shared that goal and was committed to help Romania meet the criteria of the Visa Waiver Program. The VWP criteria are the same for every country, Dr. Barth recalled. Other countries in the region that have met the criteria have had to meet the same standards.

Ambassador Taubman added that the U.S. Embassy was continuing to improve the visa application process, making it faster and simpler. He stated that the Embassy would do even more to inform the Romanian public about our visa process and about the criteria for entry into the Visa Waiver Program. At the same time, the Ambassador stressed that we can’t set artificial goals or lower standards. According to U.S. law, every visa case has to be adjudicated individually, on its merits. The Ambassador said that he expected the visa refusal rate to decline now that Romania has joined the EU, its economy grows and job opportunities expand. Most Romanians traveling to the U.S. do respect the terms of their visas, but overstays and illegal work remain a significant problem. Romanians who hold U.S. tourist visas can do their part to lower the refusal rate by not working in the U.S. and by departing the U.S. on time.

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