Romania’s new prime minister, Luca Niculescu, received the United States ambassador to Bucharest, Darryl Nirenberg, on Thursday at Victoria Palace, shortly after taking office. The talks focused on Romania’s relationship with Washington.
In a Facebook message published on Thursday, 22 October, Niculescu presented the meeting as a clear signal on foreign policy: closer ties with the United States and stronger links with Western partners. He said the relationship with the United States is a fundamental priority for the government he leads and for himself, describing it as more than a strategic partnership and as a deep friendship built on trust, shared values and common interests.
Niculescu said the two countries have many projects to develop together, from security and defence to the economy, energy, infrastructure and education. He said he wants to give this cooperation fresh momentum and concrete results for citizens. He congratulated Nirenberg for the energy with which he promotes Romanian-American relations in many fields and for close collaboration with Romanian authorities.
He said they discussed Romania’s security and the importance of the American military presence, for which he expressed thanks and which he wants to see strengthened. Defence cooperation, including projects to equip the Romanian Army, was also raised.
The economic side of the partnership had an important place in the discussion. Niculescu said they agreed that more should be done to attract American investment in Romania so that it contributes to restarting the economy, developing strategic sectors and creating jobs. He said they agreed to meet regularly to follow progress on joint projects and to identify new opportunities for cooperation.