135 Years of Romanian-American Diplomacy
135 years after establishing diplomatic relations, Romania and USA at the peak of a strategic partnership.
Bogdan Matei, 02.12.2015, 13:28
In 1877, at the end of several centuries of Ottoman domination, Romania was gaining its independence. Three years later, the young state established diplomatic relations with the USA. Historians say that the connections between the two countries, the North American giant and the small state in south-eastern Europe, became indestructible with the outbreak of World War 1, when they were allied as part of the Entente.
After the war, which had brought the Romanians the completion of their nation state formation, thousands of Americans on the East Coast came out in the street to welcome Queen Marie of Romania, who made a diplomatic tour of the US. The Second World War, when Romania, threatened by Soviet expansionism, found itself forced to join the Axis, and the long Communist dictatorship that followed, never managed to alter the Romanians pro-American sentiment. They continue to view the US as the foremost bastion of freedom and democracy in the world.
Last week, an opinion poll revealed that Romanians see the USA as their greatest friend and the ally that could best protect them, with Russia at the opposite pole, as the greatest threat to the security of Romania, Europe and the world. Shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the US, Bucharest joined without hesitation the anti-terror coalition and deployed troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, together with their American colleagues.
Admitted into NATO in 2004, tied to the US through a strategic bilateral partnership, the host of American military bases and of elements of the missile defence system, Romania is in turn seen by many experts as the most important ally of the US in the region.
On Tuesday, December 1st, the US Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated the Romanian nation, on behalf of President Barack Obama. A news release issued by the State Department mentions the 135th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the USA and Romania, tied by a friendship based on the shared commitment to democratic government and the rule of law. Promoting the prosperity of citizens through extensive trade relations and investments and the common NATO membership seen as a guarantee of a free, united and peaceful Europe, are other affinities mentioned by the American Secretary of State. The US is proud that American and Romanian troops have taken part, over the years, in common missions to safeguard freedom and justice in a world threatened by war and terrorism, Kerry also said.
The House of Representatives in Washington in its turn adopted a resolution hailing the anniversary of 135 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and underlining Romanias outstanding commitment within NATO and its key role as an ally of the USA.
