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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 218 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 218

   Celebrating and reaffirming the strategic partnership between the 
     United States and Romania on the twentieth anniversary of its 
                               inception.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 11, 2017

   Mr. Johnson (for himself and Mr. Murphy) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Celebrating and reaffirming the strategic partnership between the 
     United States and Romania on the twentieth anniversary of its 
                               inception.

Whereas, in 1997, the Governments of the United States and Romania embarked upon 
        a strategic partnership rooted in our mutual embrace of popular 
        sovereignty, individual rights, free markets, and the rule of law, and 
        our commitment to transatlantic security and prosperity;
Whereas the Government of Romania has striven to advance security and democratic 
        principles in Southeast Europe, and has participated actively in 
        building a Europe whole, free, and at peace;
Whereas the strategic partnership between the United States and Romania has 
        helped forge durable economic and cultural bonds between our two 
        countries;
Whereas the Government of Romania recently announced that it will raise defense 
        spending to two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017 in 
        order to meet the minimum level of defense expenditures pledged at the 
        2014 NATO Wales Summit;
Whereas NATO's first ``Aegis Ashore'' missile defense installation became 
        operational on May 12, 2016, at Deveselu Base in Romania, representing a 
        significant increase in NATO's capacity to defend against ballistic 
        missile threats outside the Euro-Atlantic zone;
Whereas the Romanian Armed Forces have supported NATO and United States 
        operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theatres for over a decade, 
        contributing more than 30,000 total combat and support personnel to 
        those missions;
Whereas Romania maintains the fifth largest contingent in NATO's Resolute 
        Support Mission in Afghanistan, with over 600 troops helping to train, 
        advise, and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces 
        (ANDSF) and Afghan security institutions;
Whereas Romania is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and has 
        deployed military trainers to Iraq to train Iraqi Security Forces and 
        provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq and Syria;
Whereas the people and Governments of the United States and Romania share a 
        common interest in deepening our economic relationship through increased 
        bilateral trade and investment and projecting economic stability and 
        prosperity across Southeast Europe;
Whereas, in October 2017, Romania will host the tenth annual United States 
        Commercial Service Trade Winds Forum and Trade Mission, helping United 
        States companies explore new opportunities in Romania and across 
        Southeast Europe;
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Romania are working closely 
        together to develop an ambitious bilateral economic, trade, and 
        investment agenda, including through a record attendance this year by 
        Romanian companies to the United States SelectUSA Summit;
Whereas the talent, energy, and creativity of the Romanian people have nurtured 
        a vibrant society, embracing innovation and entrepreneurship, and 
        inspiring new generations of young Romanian leaders in business, 
        technology and advanced sciences;
Whereas the Government of Romania is setting a positive example through its 
        continued efforts to defend the rule of law, to strengthen judicial 
        independence, and to fight against corruption, notably through the work 
        of Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA);
Whereas the rich heritage of many generations of Romanian-Americans have made 
        indelible contributions to America's cultural tapestry; and
Whereas 2018 will mark the Centennial Anniversary of Romanian unification, a 
        milestone to be lauded and celebrated: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) celebrates 20 years of close, strategic partnership 
        between the United States and Romania and applauds Romania's 
        significant contributions and commitment to transatlantic 
        security and prosperity;
            (2) commends the Government of Romania for its advancements 
        in democratic governance, the rule of law, and a principled and 
        inclusive society which provides opportunities for development 
        and growth, and urges continued progress in these areas; and
            (3) affirms the desire of the Senate to continue 
        strengthening the strategic partnership between the United 
        States and Romania and to inspire future generations of young 
        leaders to cherish, preserve, and develop the friendship 
        between our two nations.
                                 <all>
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