Negotiations continue on Romania-US agreement on the prevention and combat against serious crime
Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea on Tuesday met US charge d'affaires in Bucharest Dean Thompson to discuss the Visa Waiver programme, a bilateral agreement on crime prevention and fight as well as the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.
The Romanian Interior Ministry (MAI) reports in a press release that at the meeting Oprea reiterated the Romanian Government's thanks to the US Administration for constant support to MAI in 2011-2014, as part of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF).
"At the meeting, the two officials also discussed a bilateral agreement on the prevention and combat against serious crime, on which negotiations are at an advanced stage. By signing the agreement, Romania will meet yet another technical standard in order to be included in the Visa Waiver for the liberalisation of visas for Romanian nationals travelling to the US," MAI reports.
In their conversation, the two officials also underscored the firm commitment of Romania, MAI included, to continue to contribute its own forces to the efforts of the world community for the institutional reconstruction of Afghanistan, particularly in partnership with the US.
Oprea also said Romania is counting on US support under the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which this January was joined by 34 Romanian gendarmes and police officers for assistance and counselling of Afghan troops.
In his turn, Thompson underscored the excellent cooperation between Romania and the US in the area of public security and peace, voicing conviction that professionalism and respect for common democratic values will continue to characterise the relationship between the two countries.