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Foreign Minister Aurescu, DFC CEO discuss on the phone potential financing for strategic projects
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu had a phone conversation with Adam Boehler, CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), on the possibility of involving the American development bank in financing strategic projects of major interest to Romania, the Foreign Ministry said in a release.
Minister Aurescu highlighted during the conversation Romania's efforts to strengthen connectivity between northern and southern Central Europe in the transport, energy and digital sectors, including through the Three Seas Initiative.
The Romanian top diplomat recalled the talks he had with the US Secretary of State on the occasion of his visit to Washington this October, as well as his recent phone talk with US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, during which he tackled the importance of the Constanta - Gdansk railway project (Rail2Sea) and of the Via Carpathia transnational highway connection, both with a strategic impact on the economic development of the Three Seas region, as well as with positive implications for military mobility between the north an south of NATO's eastern flank.
Minister Aurescu advocated the accomplishment of these priority projects, as well as of other projects in the field of energy, with substantial American engagement and support, financial one included. He also mentioned his recent phone call on these specific aspects with President of the US Import-Export Bank (EXIM USA) Kimberly A. Reed, and pointed out that the accomplishment of such major projects would lead to the consolidation of the US strategic economic presence in the region, complementing its military presence.
The Romanian top diplomat went on to emphasize the role of the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund in financing certain interconnection projects in the region and welcomed the advancement of the approval procedure by the DFC Investment Committee of the draft decision for DFC to join the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund.
CEO Adam Boehler expressed DFC's substantial interest in projects that contribute to regional security and development, and agreed to continue efforts to identify concrete ways to get involved in the projects promoted by Romania.
The DFC CEO accepted ForMin Aurescu's invitation to visit Romania to discuss investment opportunities, strengthening the American economic presence in Romania and ways to improve cooperation to support the economic development of the region.