President Klaus Iohannis welcomed on Tuesday, at Cotroceni Palace, US Attorney General William Barr, on the occasion if his visit to Romania, in the context of the EU-US ministerial meeting in the field of Justice and Home Affairs, organized by Romania as president of the Council of the European Union.
The head of state expressed appreciation regarding the Strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, which has become stronger in the past years, reiterating Romania’s consistent commitment and his personal one for its deepening in all dimensions: political, defence and security, as well as in the field of judicial cooperation and the rule of law. President Iohanis has also stressed the need that economic cooperation reaches the same excellence level, a Presidency release reads.
The President has mentioned the recent vote in the EP election and on the referendum on justice issues, which have proved that the Romanian citizens are deeply attached to democratic values and understand the importance of an independent and effective judicial system, without which a functional democracy cannot function.
The US official expressed great special appreciation on the Strategic Partnership with Romania, most trusted US ally in the region, with very close bilateral relations, not only in the fields of defence and security, but also in enforcing the law, including in the cyber sector.
William Barr stressed the importance for Romania to remain a predictable, stable and responsible ally, which respects and promotes the democratic values and the rule of law. The US Attorney General expressed the powerful support of the US to President Iohannis’ firm position and effort in supporting the rule of law, fight against corruption and for consolidating an independent, fair and transparent judicial system, to the benefit of citizens.
The two high officials have exchanged opinions on the results of Romania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, in view of the trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States, the Presidency release concludes.
William Barr is to have a meeting on Wednesday with European Commissioner for Justice Vĕra Jourová.
On Wednesday takes place the US-EU ministerial meeting on Justice and Home Affairs, to be attended by European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs Vĕra Jourová, the European Commissioner for Security Julian King and the European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos.