AUR leader George Simion, a candidate in the presidential elections, thanked the USA for definitively removing Romania from the Visa Waiver program.
In an interview with MAGA influencer Jack Posobiec, George Simion stated that the US Department of State had sent a correct warning to Romania, stating that it is no longer a democracy and cannot be part of the Visa Waiver Program.
"The Constitutional Court will no longer be able to intervene now, the message from Washington was very strong. We thank Homeland Security and the Department of State for sending Romania a warning, a correct warning, that it is no longer a democracy and cannot be part of the Visa Waiver Program," said George Simion when asked if he is not afraid that, if he wins the elections, the CCR will decide to cancel them, as it did last year.
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Simion's statement can be watched at minute 13.52:
On Tuesday, George Simion promised that Romania will be included again in the Visa Waiver program, maintaining his narrative that the United States of America, which was about to lift the visa requirement for Romanian citizens, gave up on this decision due to the cancellation of last year's presidential elections.
"We have contacts with the people from Homeland Security and the Department of State responsible for the issue. We have a roadmap in this area, and I don't even know if I should say, because it will sound populist, it will sound unfounded for those who are currently watching Digi 24, but we will be readmitted to the Visa Waiver program and visas for Romania, once we return to democracy, will be eliminated," stated George Simion for Digi 24.
The US Department of Homeland Security decided and officially announced on May 2, two days before the first round of the presidential elections, the cancellation of Romania's entry into the Visa Waiver program, which allows visa-free travel to the USA. A possible reassessment could take place next year.
"Today, the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of State, has canceled Romania's designation under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)," DHS stated in a communication.
Regarding the reason for the cancellation, it is cited to protect the integrity of the VWP and ensure border security and immigration, without providing details on how Romania would affect these objectives.
Initially, Romania was supposed to enter the program in March, which allows transatlantic travel without the need for a visa.
In response to the statement issued by DHS, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over the decision, considering that Romania had met all the conditions for access to the American program.