On Tuesday, September 22nd, Stefan Minovici met with Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) in New York City to discuss bilateral United States-Romanian relations. The two were joined by Congressman Swalwell’s Chief of Staff, Yardena Wolf as well as MIC intern William Rose.
The meeting was highly successful and discussed a wide range of topics. The Congressman and Minovici reviewed the nature of special relationship between the United States and Romania due to Romania’s strategic location along the Black Sea coast and proximity to Russia. Along with this, the two discussed the importance of lobbying for investment into Romanian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals to accompany security investments.
Part of the discussion was the relocation of U.S. companies from East Asia to Romania, a solution being pushed by the MIC’s “Make it in Romania” campaign, of which Congressman Swalwell expressed his support. Congressman Swalwell also expressed his wish that Romania be included in the Visa Waiver Program and stated that he would be a champion for the cause in Congress.
Mr. Swalwell agreed to go on a Spring 2022 factfinding mission to Romania and stated that he would encourage his colleagues to join him from the House Intelligence and Homeland Security committees.
While in New York City, Congressman Swalwell also met with the Romanian Ambassador to the U.S., Andrei Muraru, as well as the Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu. Less than a month prior to the meeting, Swalwell had visited Romania with three other U.S. officials as part of a trip sponsored by the House Intelligence Committee. The congressman also expressed his interest in seeking the co-chairmanship of the Congressional Romania Caucus.
Mr. Swalwell has served four terms representing California’s Fifteenth Congressional District, located in the Bay Area of California where he grew up. He attended the University of Maryland, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. Congressman Swalwell serves on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House Judiciary Committee, House Homeland Security Committee and Co-Chairs the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. He is committed to solving international and domestic issues and co-founded the United Solutions caucus to solve problems while working across the aisle.