U.S. ambassador: No favourable conditions for Romania to join Visa Waiver Program in 2016

U.S. Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm on Monday said he was not very optimistic about Romania's chances to join the United States'Visa Waiver Program in 2016, considering that the rejection rate for Romanian visa applicants is higher than the legal maximum of three percent, and the political context in America is also rather unfavourable. 

The late statistical data on visa denials showed a positive trend, but the rate was still around 10pct. 

According to Klemm, all the other procedural steps have been taken, except the ratification by the Romanian Parliament of a relevant agreement of October 2015. 

The ambassador spoke to the media about the possible American contribution to lowering the rejection rate, namely better explaining throughout Romania - not just in Bucharest - the requirements for getting a visa. Application is expensive, he pointed out, so those who do not qualify should refrain from applying.