The Presidential Administration considers lobbying to be an effective tool for strengthening the relationship with the United States, especially in the context of the Donald Trump administration. Vlad Ionescu, state adviser within the Presidential Administration, says that Romania must use all the channels through which it can reach American decision-makers and claims that lobbying activities are transparent and regulated in the United States. However, when asked if these contracts produced concrete results and what are the amounts spent, the official did not provide details.
“An effective tool,” in relation to the Trump administration
The subject of lobbying contracts and collaboration with the conservative zone in the United States has caused controversy in Romania. In the interview for Digi24.ro, Vlad Ionescu was asked if the steps for a presence in the American conservative media helped Romania and if there are concrete effects following these contracts.
The State Counselor says that, so far, Romania has approached the relationship with the United States mainly through diplomatic and military channels, but that it must also use other tools of communication and influence.
“What did we miss? And maybe here was also a mental block that we had, this interaction with the tool of the so-called lobby. Now, in the American democracy, lobbying is an institutionalized and very well regulated and very transparent activity”, declared Vlad Ionescu.
The official claims that lobbying activities are reported and entered in a public register and that Romania should not avoid using this tool.
“It’s another tool that, here, we have to use in the full panoply of tools that we have, which, given the nature of the Trump administration, is an effective tool. Lobbying is not the central element, but it is an added value that all states exploit,” explained the state adviser.
How lobbying contracts translate into concrete effects
When asked if there are concrete results from these lobbying contracts and what are the amounts spent for the contracts, Vlad Ionescu did not present figures or specific examples of results obtained from these efforts.
“The following thing is important for us: Romania’s security, prosperity, both of which are related to a very close partnership with the United States of America. We are obliged to communicate with the American side,” he answered.
The presidential adviser also cited the fact that, at the beginning of the Trump administration, there was limited knowledge in the United States about Romania, the realities here and its strategic relevance. In this context, he says, Bucharest must use all channels to reach American decision-makers and to convey the messages regarding Romania’s contribution to regional security.
When he was asked again if concrete results of lobbying activities can be indicated, Vlad Ionescu avoided detailing this aspect and spoke about the political-diplomatic dialogue with the American administration.
“Now I would not like to focus on this activity. I can tell you that there is a political-diplomatic dialogue with the American administration at all levels,” he said.
The Presidential Administration announced in May the conclusion of a contract for strategic consulting and assistance in relations with the US Government and Congress, with the American firm Eversheds Sutherland. The contract has an initial duration of six months and a maximum compensation cap of $565,000 per month, based on services and deliverables provided.
According to the institution, the objective is to strengthen the strategic partnership with the United States and promote Romania’s interests in areas such as defense, security, energy and investment attraction.
