BUCHAREST – Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu clarified on Saturday that a possible delay in Romania's inclusion in the U.S. visa waiver program is part of a broader assessment of migration policies by the Trump administration.
Predoiu stressed that the review does not specifically concern Romania or the visa-free entry program, but concerns a general assessment of migration programs.
Romania was initially expected to join the visa waiver program on March 31 following a decision made by the Biden administration. However, the review has raised uncertainty about visa-free access for Romanian citizens, according to a Pro TV report on Thursday, citing sources in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu confirmed the news on Friday, blaming the delay on a series of “technical issues.” Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu confirmed on Saturday that Romanian authorities remain informed of all operations related to the visa-free application.
Predoyu also explained that the delay was due to the US decision to review its migration policy in light of future strategies.
“This is not a problem related to Romania or the visa-free regime per se, but rather a reflection of a broader review of migration policy undertaken by the new administration,” Predoiu said.
Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus remain the only EU member states not included in the visa waiver programme.
(Catalina Mihai | Euractiv.ro)
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