06 October 1997
(Joint press release) (380) JOINT PRESS RELEASE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE MARC GROSSMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ADRIAN SEVERIN BUCHAREST, ROMANIA OCTOBER 5, 1997 Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs Marc Grossman visited Bucharest October 4-5 to meet senior Romanian officials and, together with Foreign Minister Adrian Severin, to initiate bilateral discussions on the U.S.-Romanian strategic partnership Assistant Secretary Grossman was received by and held useful talks with President Emil Constantinescu and Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea. He also met Defense Minister Victor Babiuc, in addition to Foreign Minister Severin. In the opening meeting between the two delegations, Assistant Secretary Grossman and Foreign Minister Severin reviewed proposals for a strategic partnership and way bilateral cooperation could be intensified to the benefit of both countries and for security and stability in Central and Southeastern Europe. They agreed that the U.S.-Romanian strategic partnership is a framework established by the two governments for developing closer bilateral relations, especially in the political, economic, and defense fields. Its goals are to expand political cooperation and economic activity on a mutually beneficial basis; help make Romania as strong a candidate as possible for NATO membership in the future and for integration into other Western structures; and strengthen a democratic Romania's contribution to security in Central and Southeastern Europe. The primary tools for achieving the strategic partnership's goals will be consultations, policy coordination, and joint activities, including those already taking place under the Partnership for Peace, SECI, and the SEED program. Assistant Secretary Grossman also discussed with Foreign Minister Severin and Defense Minister Babiuc the productive meeting of Southeast European defense ministers in Sofia, which Ambassador Grossman and Defense Minister Babiuc had just attended, and outlined U.S. plans to focus on the region and on its potential for integration into the European mainstream. They decided that more detailed discussions should take place throughout the day under four general headings: regional security issues; the bilateral defense relationship; economic and political reform; and non-traditional threats. Assistant Secretary Grossman and Foreign Minister Severin agreed to a structure for future consulations, with the specific arrangements to be established through diplomatic channels.