PSD Senators Stefan-Radu Oprea and Robert Cazanciuc and PSD MEP Victor Negrescu recently returned to Washington, DC where they met with key leaders in Congress, the White House, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Department of Commerce to discuss Romania’s contributions to regional security and advance opportunities for U.S.-Romania cooperation. The delegation met with members of key legislative committees including Sen. Pete Ricketts (R, NE) of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R, OK) of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Chairman of the European Subcommittee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R, NJ), Colin Allred (D-TX) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), co-sponsor of the Black Sea Security Act.
The delegation built upon the success of their last visit in December 2022 by continuing to advocate for action on the Black Sea Security Act (BSSA), including during an in-depth meeting with the bill’s House sponsor Congressman Bill Keating. The proposal would bolster U.S. policy in the Black Sea region by deepening diplomatic, economic, and military ties. Through efforts like the BSSA, Romania and the U.S. are in a strengthened position with allies to better meet the rising security challenges posed by malign actors and create the conditions for a Black Sea region securely anchored within the transatlantic community.
The delegation also conveyed Romania’s instrumental role in advancing transatlantic security priorities and interests in the Black Sea region during their meetings. Throughout these meetings, the delegation highlighted the importance of Romania to broader geopolitical and macroeconomic strategies and the longstanding commitment of PSD to U.S.-Romanian relations, while defining the PSD vision for the region’s growth and security. While in Washington, the delegation also met with NDI President Derek Mitchell to discuss Romania’s democratic development and express appreciation for NDI’s work in Romania and around the world.
