15 July 1998
(U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership talks being held) (520) Washington -- State Department Spokesman James Rubin announced the official U.S. visit of Romanian President Emil Constantinescu, who will travel to San Francisco and Chicago following meetings in Washington. On July 15 the State Department hosted the latest round of U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership talks, Rubin said. The Partnership "is a framework for developing closer bilateral relations and is a key element in the U.S. Action Plan for Southeast Europe." Also on July 15, Constantinescu attended a lunch hosted by Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott for senior members of the Strategic Partnership delegations, and the signing of agreements on scientific and technological cooperation, air transport, and peaceful nuclear cooperation. "During their meeting at the White House tomorrow, President Clinton and President Constantinescu will review with Secretary Albright the outcome of the Strategic Partnership discussions," Rubin said. Following is the text of the statement: (Begin text) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN July 15, 1998 STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN VISIT OF ROMANIAN PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU Romanian President Emil Constantinescu arrived in Washington yesterday to begin an eight~-day official visit to the United States, which will also include stops in San Francisco and Chicago. He is accompanied by his wife, Nadia Constantinescu, the Foreign, Defense, Finance, Transportation, Privatization, and Research Ministers, senators, members of parliament, and other high-level officials. His visit reflects the close partnership and strong ties the United States and Romania share across a wide range of issues. Today, in conjunction with President Constantinescu's visit, the State Department is hosting the latest round of U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership talks. This Partnership was announced in Bucharest last July by President Clinton and President Constantinescu. It is a framework for developing closer bilateral relations and is a key element in the U.S. Action Plan for Southeast Europe. Its goals are: to expand political cooperation and economic activity on a mutually beneficial basis; to help make Romania as strong a candidate as possible for NATO membership in the future and for integration into other Western structures; and to strengthen a democratic Romania's contribution to security in Central and Southeastern Europe. Today's events include a lunch hosted by Deputy Secretary Talbott for senior members of the Strategic Partnership delegations, and the signing of agreements on scientific and technological cooperation, air transport, and peaceful nuclear cooperation. The Partnership discussions will focus on military relations, political and~ economic reform, regional security, and non-traditional threats. The Romanian delegation to the talks is led by Foreign Minister Andrei Plesu. The head of the U.S. delegation is Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman. During their meeting at the White House tomorrow, President Clinton and President Constantinescu will review with Secretary Albright the outcome of the Strategic Partnership discussions. While in Washington, President Constantinescu will also have the opportunity to speak with congressional leaders, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Acting Secretary of Energy. (End text)