Interim Minister of Internal Affairs Catalin Predoiu met on Saturday with US House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, during a visit to Romania by a delegation of the United States Congress led by Rogers.

According to a press release, the talks focused on strengthening the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States, security developments in the region, the strategic importance of the Black Sea, as well as prospects for deeper bilateral cooperation in the field of home affairs.

'Minister Catalin Predoiu highlighted the importance of the United States' continued commitment to the security of NATO's Eastern Flank and the Black Sea region, as well as the essential role of the transatlantic relationship in the current security context. He also underscored Romania's commitment to continuing to act as a reliable ally, security provider and strategic partner of the United States, actively contributing to regional stability. Particular attention was paid to the Black Sea region, whose strategic importance for Euro-Atlantic security has increased significantly in the current geopolitical context. Predoiu underlined that Romania and the United States share the same fundamental objective in the region - ensuring long-term security and stability - and highlighted Romania's role in protecting NATO's Eastern Flank and strengthening security in the extended Black Sea region,' according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) release.

The meeting also addressed the internal security dimension of current regional challenges, as hybrid threats, cross-border organised crime, cyber risks and threats to critical infrastructure call for increasingly close cooperation between strategic partners.

'An important point of the discussions was the cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the US law enforcement and homeland security agencies, particularly in combating organised crime, drug and human trafficking, border security, illegal migration, cybercrime and terrorism. (...) The two officials underscored their shared interest in strengthening the security dimension of the Romania-US Strategic Partnership, as well as continuing the pragmatic dialogue and cooperation between the Romanian and US authorities. Within the discussions, the Romanian official also expressed his appreciation for the constant and bipartisan support provided to Romania by the US Congress, as well as for the attention given to the security of NATO's Eastern Flank and the Black Sea region,' the MAI informed.

Predoiu underscored that relations with the United States play a key role for Romania from a security perspective.

'The SAFE [Security Action for Europe] programme is at an early stage, the European defence pillar is under construction, it will take years before it is fully operational. Therefore, given the regional security context and its prospects, the relationships with the US and NATO are essential for our country's security. In this context, the Romanian Government must do more to strengthen economic ties with the US, once full constitutional capacity has been restored, in order to generate large-scale economic projects, attract tens of billions of dollars in US investment in projects capable of driving tomorrow's economy, but also indirectly increasing security. (...) The installation of a new Government with full powers must bring a restart of economic cooperation projects with the US, as I did during my tenure in the areas of internal affairs, public order and safety, combating cross-border crime, illegal migration, drug trafficking, terrorism and cybercrime,' Catalin Predoiu said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dana Piciu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)