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US Ambassador: Romania to play vital role in strengthening energy security in region by developing offshore gas resources
Romania will play a vital role in strengthening energy security and diversifying supply sources in the region by developing offshore gas resources in the Black Sea and participating in regional initiatives in the field, US Ambassador to Romania Kathleen A. Kavalec, told the US - Romania Economic Forum: Innovation for Prosperity, a satellite event of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Business Forum in Bucharest, hosted by our country this year.
Kavalec welcomed Romania's "recent efforts" to improve transport connections and mobility in the region by upgrading its road and rail networks and modernising its ports.
The US diplomat stressed that, similarly, Romania can promote digital transformation and innovation in the region by expanding broadband connectivity, developing e-government services and supporting regional initiatives such as the Three Seas Digital Highway.
The US stands ready to support Romania and its partners in pursuing these and other projects that promote common interests and values. That is why we have pledged up to 300 million US dollars in funding for projects under the Three Seas Initiative through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, said Kathleen A. Kavalec.
Referring to the economic partnership between the US and Romania, Ambassador Kavalec said that an important step is Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver program, which will allow Romanian citizens to travel to the US without a visa. One of the criteria for the Visa Waiver program is a low visa refusal rate, so we want as many qualified applicants as possible, and I encourage all Romanians to update their US visa any time after October 1, Kathleen A. Kavalec added.
The US - Romania Economic Forum: Innovation for Prosperity brings together high-level government officials from Romania and the US, as well as leaders of major companies in the Three Seas region and was opened by Cristian Sporis, President of AmCham Romania, and Kathleen A. Kavalec, US Ambassador to Romania, Honorary President of AmCham Romania.