US official Mitchell says US closely follows developments in Romania's rule of law

President Klaus Iohannis welcomed at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on Tuesday Wess Mitchell, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, who voiced hope that Romania will continue to progress with strengthening democracy and the rule of law, underlining that the United States is closely following the developments in Romania.

"The US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs has shown that President Klaus Iohannis enjoys the highest appreciation and respect for what he does for Romania and the full support of the US for his essential role in strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Romania. Wess Mitchell voiced hope that Romania will continue to progress in this area, stressing that the US is closely watching the developments in Romania," the Romanian Presidential Administration said in a press statement released on Tuesday.

The US official also expressed his special appreciation for the solidity of the strategic partnership between the US and Romania, which is a reliable ally of the US in NATO, and thanked Romania for having met its fulfillment of NATO commitments. He emphasised the importance of Romania remaining a predictable, stable and responsible ally that respects and promotes democratic values and the rule of law.

According to the statement, President Iohannis thanked for the constructive support offered by the US to Romania, grounded in respect for democratic values, and showed that he will remain a staunch defender of these values and the rule of law.

He also reiterated the strong commitment of Romania and his to deepen all the dimensions of the strategic partnership between Romania and the US.

"The President of Romania underlined the clear and firm commitment of Romania to burden sharing within NATO by implementing the allocation of 2pct for defence spending, with an important role in achieving transatlantic cohesion. The US official conveyed praise to Romania for its commitments, both regional and as a NATO ally, including Romania's decision to allocate 2pct of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for defence spending."

Iohannis reiterated that strengthening the transatlantic relationship remains of vital importance, as Romania is a country that is equally committed to the European project and to the strategic partnership with the US. He underlined that the transatlantic relationship is not only important for the common security and prosperity of the European Union and the US, but also for the core set of democratic values of the western community Romania is part of.

"President Klaus Iohannis reaffirmed in this context that Romania is fully determined to act as a security and stability provider in the region and also as a promoter of this set of democratic values in a regional context where there is challenges to these values," the Presidential Administration emphasised.

In addition, Iohannis said the Romanian presidency of the EU Council would be a great opportunity to promote and strengthen the transatlantic partnership, for which all stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic must act consistently and resolutely.

The two officials also discussed President Klaus Iohannis hosting the Bucharest Summit of the Three Seas Initiative in Bucharest on September 17 and 18. President Iohannis said that the main objective is to move to a new level of the initiative, that of concrete results, and highlighted that the initiative also contributes to strengthening the transatlantic relationship, encouraging an even stronger American representation at the summit.

"The assistant secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs expressed strong support from the highest levels of the United States for the objectives of the summit to be held in Romania and the practical, pragmatic approach of Romania as a host. At the same time, he stressed the strategic importance that the Three Seas Initiative at a European level and for the transatlantic relationship."

At the meeting, Iohannis encouraged the identification of creative and effective solutions to strengthen the economic dimension of the strategic partnership with the US, including through joint investment and business projects.

"For business people to feel encouraged, there is a need for stability, predictability and a strong system of justice, this being not an option, but the only choice we have to make," according to the Presidential Administration.

Mitchell is further quoted as underscoring the importance of the energy dimension of the strategic partnership, namely support for the strategic BRUA Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria gas pipeline project, which implementation is essential for Romania and the region. AGERPRES (RO - author: Florentina Peia, editor: Andreea Rotaru; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Adina Panaitescu)