U.S. Department of State

Foreign Operations Appropriated Assistance*
Fiscal Year (FY) 2007: $15.90 Million (M) ($15.90M Other)
Estimate FY 2008: $12.81M (12.81M Other)**

Assistance Goals: Romania, the largest EU country in Southeast Europe, with a well-educated population and substantial natural resources, is a key strategic ally for America in the region and global affairs. Even before joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Romania was an active partner in Balkan peacekeeping and since then has developed “niche” military capabilities within the Alliance. The bilateral strategic partnership with the United States is a model, with Romanian soldiers continuing to serve together with American troops in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In FY 2007, the U.S. Government (USG) assistance addressed the basic issues needed to support Romania’s continued democratic and economic transition. These programs facilitated Romania’s entry into the EU. The USG security assistance transforms Romania’s armed forces to better support coalition operations through enhanced expeditionary capabilities and increased professionalism of the officer and noncommissioned officer corps. USG security assistance also focused on Romania’s law enforcement agencies in areas such as trafficking in persons and cyber crime. These programs contributed to the growth of regional institutions and security. During the year, further assistance was given to prepare Romania in the event of Avian Influenza outbreaks.

Areas of Focus (Foreign Operations Appropriated Assistance):

Peace and Security (PS): FY 2007: $15.90M, Est. FY 2008: $12.81M

• Restructure and modernize Romania’s military so that it can contribute more effectively to NATO’s evolving missions;
• The USG’s goals for the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) Center, and the Southeastern Europe Prosecutor’s Advisory Group (SEEPAG) in 2007 were the continued promotion and strengthening of both organizations as viable and self-sustaining regional law enforcement/prosecutorial institutions uniquely suited to the coordinated targeting of Balkan, trans-border organized crime. In addition to establishing a permanent USG law enforcement presence at the SECI Center to support both institutions in furthering the development of Romanian law enforcement and judicial systems;
• Provide training in organized crime investigation, computer forensics, public corruption, forensic chemistry, cyber crime, case management, and undercover operations to Romanian law enforcement system.

Recent Successes:

• Due in large measure to USG military financing assistance, Romania continued to make significant strides in transforming its military and developing an expeditionary capability to directly support the U.S. in the War on Terror. Romania owns a fleet of five C‑130 aircraft and can deploy and support its own forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through USG programs, Romania developed its special forces and intelligence niche capabilities. The USG supported the training and equipping of approximately 2,000 Romanian troops currently deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. With the assistance of the USG, Romania enhanced its capability to monitor the Black Sea region and securely share information with the U.S., significantly improving U.S. knowledge of events in Southeastern Europe.
• The USG supported the Romanian NCO Academy, and funded the attendance of 230 officers and NCOs at U.S. military educational and training institutions.

*Division J of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act: Department of State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008, including: SEED, Child Survival and Health (CSH), Non-proliferation, Anti-terrorism, De-mining and Related programs (NADR), IMET and FMF.

**Estimate from FY 2009 Congressional Budget Justification; Website: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/101440.pdf.