111. Letter From President Reagan to Romanian President Ceausescu1
The United States values its relationship with Romania and wishes to resolve all important bilateral questions in the spirit of existing agreements between the two countries and of the principles set forth in the U.S.-Romanian Joint Declaration of December 1973, and on the basis of national sovereignty and independence, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.
The United States understands that Romania will continue to resolve all emigration and other humanitarian questions on the basis of mutual trust and good will and that in order to continue and stimulate economic relations and industrial cooperation between the two countries, Romania will not require those who receive approval to emigrate to reimburse the State for their education costs, as stipulated in Decree 402. The United States further understands that Romania will not create any economic or procedural barriers to emigration. On this basis, I will recommend to Congress and will support the continuation of Romania’s Most-Favored-Nation tariff status and will consider recommending to Congress at an appropriate future time the extension of Most-Favored-Nation treatment to Romania on a multi-year basis.
The United States supports the right of free emigration, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international documents. As a general principle, however, the United States does not seek to influence individuals in their decisions on whether or not to emigrate from the country of their residence.
Based on the desire further to develop relations of friendship and cooperation between the two states, in the spirit of the Romanian-American Trade Agreement, and for the mutual benefit of both states, it is the understanding of the United States that both governments intend—consistent with their laws and regulations—to encourage trade and economic cooperation in industry and agriculture. In this regard and consistent with its laws and regulations, the United States recognizes the importance of processing export licenses as expeditiously as possible, assisting American companies investing in Romania, encouraging Romanian investments, purchases in and exports to the United [Page 309] States, and extending the preferential treatment provided by the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences. Overall, the United States will endeavor to give a new impetus to U.S.-Romanian economic relations, and notes that Romania will do so as well.
The United States is prepared to discuss continued economic cooperation with Romania in the context of the next Joint Economic Commission meeting, to take place in the fall of 1983.
Sincerely,
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Head of State File, Romania: President Ceausescu (8400229–8406115). No classification marking.↩