WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden hosted Klaus Iohannis, the president of Romania, on Tuesday on the White Home, with the 2 leaders celebrating their joint cooperation on points together with worldwide safety, the economic system and continued assist for Ukraine.
The assembly within the Oval Workplace was meant to mark Romania’s 20 years as a NATO member, in accordance with the White Home.
At the beginning of the assembly, Biden joked he advocated for NATO accession for Romania when he was a senator “180 years in the past” and mentioned the alliance was stronger for the nation’s inclusion. Biden famous that Romanian and American troops have fought and skilled alongside each other and praised Romania for having “stepped up” to help Ukraine in fending Russia’s invasion.
“The USA is dedicated to standing with you,” Biden instructed Iohannis.
In flip, Iohannis thanked Biden for internet hosting him and known as the transatlantic alliance “a cornerstone of our democratic lifestyle.” He mentioned he supposed to make progress towards a visa waiver for Romanian vacationers to the U.S. however that crucial subject was “to discover a technique to reinstall peace” in Europe and to make sure that Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t win.
Iohannis introduced in March that he’ll run to be NATO’s subsequent secretary-general, though Biden and lots of different leaders within the alliances have thrown their assist behind Mark Rutte, the Netherlands prime minister. White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to say Tuesday whether or not that challenge arose in the course of the two leaders’ assembly, deferring to a readout that was anticipated later.
Earlier Tuesday, White Home nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby sidestepped questions on whether or not Biden would ask Iohannis to clear the way in which for Rutte. Collection of the following NATO secretary-general requires consensus.
“Nothing’s modified about our assist for Mr. Rutte to be the following secretary-general,” Kirby mentioned.