The United States has played a vital role for Romania in terms of security and the economy, and the partnership with the U.S. is a strategic priority Romania will continue to support in the coming years, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Thursday, as he attended the meeting of the General Assembly of the Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce.

'I am honored to take part in this event of the Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce. My presence is a sign of respect for you, for those who have invested in Romania, for those who do business in Romania, and for the people working in these companies. I want to thank you for the investments you have made, for the transfer of capital, for the transfer of knowledge, because this means development for Romania,' Bolojan said.

He also thanked the employees of these companies, noting that their work means taxes paid to the Romanian state and 'families well-provided for in Romania.'

'I must also thank the Chamber, because you not only represent American companies in Romania, but you have been more than that. Together with the U.S. Embassy, you have been a factor of cohesion between Romania and the United States, promoting Romania, promoting the United States, supporting our country in projects such as accession to the OECD, and promoting the good things happening in Romania - for this we are grateful to you,' the prime minister added.

Bolojan welcomed ambassador Darryl Nirenberg, saying that he will be an 'important anchor' in the coming years in the relationship between Romania and the United States and will have a successful term.

'For us, two moments have been extremely important: joining the European Union and joining NATO. These meant access to markets and to security, and the United States has played a vital role in both the security and the economic component. For us, the partnership with the United States is a strategic aspect that we will continue to support in the years ahead, and we have proven as a country that when we are called upon, we answer 'Right here'. I am convinced that in our bilateral relations we can and must develop cooperation in energy, energy corridors, nuclear, rare minerals, and everything that involves high added value and advanced technology,' Ilie Bolojan went on to say.

He also outlined the government's priorities, noting that the year ahead will not be an easy one.

'We are in a year that is not very comfortable, it's a difficult year, because we are continuing a period of budget corrections and the adjustment of the large deficits we have accumulated - which is no easy task - and we are also in an international context that is not very favorable. Our economy is influenced by what happens abroad and is strongly connected to external developments. It will not be an easy year, neither for you nor for the government. What you can do is what you do every day. The fact that you keep your businesses running, that you keep your employees and pay your taxes and duties, is the greatest support you can give to help us get through this period, and I thank you for this,' Bolojan said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Alina Novaceanu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)