U.S. Indefinitely Suspends Romania’s Inclusion in Visa Waiver Program

The United States Government announced that it is reviewing Romania’s recent inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to ensure compliance with its strict security requirements. During this review, the United States is suspending the implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Romanian citizens, the State Department in Washington announced in a statement published on Tuesday.

The State Department recalls that the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the Department of State, allows citizens of designated countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.

“The U.S. Government is reviewing the recent designation of Romania into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to ensure adherence to VWP’s stringent security requirements. During this review the United States is pausing implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Romanian citizens. This pause will remain in effect until the United States completes its review. Romanians seeking to travel to the United States for short-term business or tourism purposes should continue to apply for the appropriate nonimmigrant (“B”) visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate,” says the dhs.gov press release.

” The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the Department of State, permits citizens of designated countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. In return, those countries must permit U.S. citizens and nationals to travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes. Since its inception in 1986, the VWP has evolved into a comprehensive security partnership with many of America’s closest allies. The VWP utilizes a risk-based, multi-layered approach to detect and prevent terrorists, serious criminals, and other mala fide actors from traveling to the United States,” the press release also notes.

Romanian authorities’ stances

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stated that he is convinced that the review of Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver program is “a strictly technical measure” and is “part of a process of global reassessment of the risks to US security”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that it has modified, on the institution’s website, the section “Travel Conditions for the United States of America”.

“I am convinced that the review of Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver program is a strictly technical measure, part of a process of global reassessment of the risks to US security. There is currently no concrete connection with the joint steps taken so far by Romania and the United States within the Visa Waiver program. We have met all the criteria and have deservedly earned our place in this program,” Marcel Ciolacu wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

The Head of the Executive also said that he understands “the context of the general reorientation of the Trump administration’s policy, which places a strong emphasis on combating immigration and strengthening US borders.”

“We will support this effort as a true partner would. We will take advantage of this postponement – which we hope will be short-lived – to work alongside American partners to clarify all aspects that generate concerns for the US administration and, at the same time, to remain firm in supporting our country’s status as a security provider and guarantor,” Ciolacu continued.

In its turn, the MFA stated that it had modified the travel conditions for the United States on its website, following the announcement of the US Department of Homeland Security.

“Following the announcement of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to which the implementation of the Visa Waiver Program for Romania is under evaluation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has modified, on the website, the section Travel Conditions for the United States of America (https://www.mae.ro/travel-conditions/3749)”, the MFA press release states.

“The modifications reflect the extension of the evaluation period for the effective application of the Visa Waiver Program for Romanian citizens and of the period for the operationalization of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)”, the quoted source also says. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that “the Romanian authorities remain in close coordination with the US authorities to ensure that the Visa Waiver Program will be implemented as quickly as possible”.

The National Liberal Party had a first reaction on Tuesday after the United States indefinitely suspended Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, and claims that “this is a temporary postponement and not a permanent decision.”

“It is very important to understand that this is a temporary postponement and not a permanent decision. Discussions about securing the US borders are related to checks on the migration policy of the new US administration in general and tangential programs such as the Visa Waiver program,” the PNL said on Tuesday in a Facebook post.

The Liberals claim that “Romania has met all the necessary criteria and conditions”, which is why “it was admitted to the program”, and criticized the parties “that are trying to politicize the subject”.

“The political formations and actors that are trying to politicize the subject directly undermine Romania’s interests in the free world and consequently they can call themselves whatever they want, only sovereignists and patriots are not. This is a program of national interest and the PNL calls on all political forces and presidential candidates to support this program”, the PNL also claims.

Opposition criticizes ruling coalition

MEP Claudiu Târziu, president of the National Steering Council of AUR, described the situation as “yet another negative signal sent to our country by the Washington administration, after repeated criticism of the cancellation of the elections, the rejection of some candidates in the presidential election and the ridicule of the former tenant of Cotroceni by Donald Trump”.

“It is proven once again that the unconditional servility and encyclopedic ignorance of the politicians at the head of the illegitimate coalition have destroyed not only the economy and internal stability, but also international relations with the highest level partners”, claims Claudiu Târziu.

The leader of the USR deputies, Ionuț Moșteanu, suggested that the Minister of Foreign Affairs should take a step back. “Has anyone heard of Emil Hurezeanu? After the scandal at the Munich Security Conference, after he lied about the Tate brothers, there was silence (…). It’s time for a new minister to represent us abroad. Emil Hurezeanu didn’t even have the courage to come to Parliament, at the USR’s call, to answer questions. He doesn’t even have the courage to stand up straight in front of our Western partners, to represent us with pride,” said Moșteanu.

MP Anamaria Gavrilă, president of the POT, also had a reaction, claiming that Washington’s decision “is the US response to the destruction of democracy in Romania by the PSD, PNL and UDMR through the CCR, BEC and the high judges of the ICCJ and CAB”.

“This is what Bolojan, Ciolacu and Predoiu can deliver. They have ruined the relationship with the US and are throwing us into the arms of Russia so that they can survive. If you needed an even higher level of treason after the theft on the highway and the indebtedness of Romania to its knees, you have the loss of security and the destruction of the strategic partnership with the US”, Anamaria Gavrilă also declared.