[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 29 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[Pages 1395-1396]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement on United States-Romanian Relations

July 16, 1998

    President Clinton and President Emil Constantinescu met today at the 
White House to discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations 
through the U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership, as well as common 
efforts to advance regional cooperation, security and stability in 
Southeast Europe. They also discussed NATO's open door policy and 
Romania's aspirations to join the Alliance.
    The two Presidents expressed great satisfaction with the status of 
the bilateral relationship, which has expanded significantly over the 
past year. They noted in particular the deepening of relations through 
the development of the U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership, announced 
during President Clinton's visit to Bucharest last July, and the key 
role it plays in the U.S. Action Plan for Southeastern Europe as well as 
for the overall stability of Central and Eastern Europe.
    The Presidents reviewed the outcome of the latest round of Strategic 
Partnership talks, held July 15 at the Department of State. A wide 
variety of joint projects have been completed successfully in the first 
year of the Partnership. The two militaries collaborated on Partnership 
for Peace and bilateral exercises, exchanged students at military 
institutions, and agreed to establish a regional center for defense 
resources management in Romania. U.S. and Romanian law enforcement 
agencies are working closely together in the fight against global 
threats such as drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal migration 
and organized crime. The two sides also discussed plans to establish a 
center for regional cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime 
in Bucharest. Bilateral agreements on civil aviation, on scientific and 
technological cooperation, on customs cooperation, and on peaceful 
nuclear cooperation were signed during President Constantinescu's visit.
    In the coming year, the two governments have agreed the Partnership 
will place greater emphasis on the economic sector, focusing on energy, 
information technology and on the development of small- and medium-size 
enterprises. President Clinton reiterated the U.S. commitment under the 
Strategic Partnership to help make Romania the strongest possible 
candidate for NATO membership and integration into other Western 
structures. Partnership activities aimed at increasing political 
cooperation, and coordinating efforts to combat non-traditional threats 
will also continue to progress.
    The Presidents reviewed the pace of free market reforms in Romania 
as a part of Romania's efforts to consolidate its political transition, 
reinvigorate its economic transition, and hasten its full integration 
into Euroatlantic institutions. They emphasized the crucial need to 
accelerate privatization of large state enterprises and banks, to push 
forward restructuring of privatized companies, and to refocus reforms 
with the aim of negotiating a new IMF agreement. The Presidents agreed 
that these reforms, combined with a stable legal environment, will 
attract greater U.S. investment, which in turn will further Romania's 
overall development. President Constantinescu noted that Minister for 
Privatization Sorin Dimitriu has been named Trade and Investment 
Ombudsman, to help U.S. and other foreign investors expedite and 
streamline bureaucratic procedures to successfully do business in 
Romania.

[[Page 1396]]

    President Clinton expressed appreciation for Romania's ongoing 
assistance on issues affecting the two countries' security, including 
participation in Dayton implementation efforts in Bosnia and offer to 
contribute to the post-UNPREDEP mission in FYR Macedonia as well as to 
other missions in the region. The two Presidents expressed their mutual 
concern over the situation in Kosovo and reiterated their determination 
to work together with other interested parties to promote a diplomatic 
resolution of this crisis.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.