May 9th – a triple celebration in Romania
May 9th was a special day for Romanians, as it marked the proclamation of independence of the Romanian state back in 1877, the UN Coalitions Victory Day in WWII and Europe Day.
Daniela Budu, 10.05.2017, 14:04
On May 9th Romania celebrated three major events in its history: the state independence proclaimed in 1877, the UN coalition victory day in WWII and Europe Day. In Bucharest, events were held at the WWII Heroes’ Monument and at the monument honoring the Romanian War of Independence. Religious services were held to remember the Romanian heroes, and the representatives of public institutions and war veterans’ associations laid flowers at the two monuments.
The events were also attended by representatives of the ministries of defense and home affairs, military staff and war veterans. Similar ceremonies were held in other cities across the country. Europe Day and 10 years since Romania joined the EU were marked in Bucharest through a string of events organized by the Bucharest Municipality, under the ‘Love Europe!’ slogan. A debate on the future of the EU was also held on the occasion, attended by the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, who said that Romania must play a more important role in the region and in the EU.
On Europe Day, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis pleaded, in a speech before Parliament, for strengthening Romania’s role at continental level. Ten years after accession, Romanians are still deeply attached to the values that define the European Union and are determined to carry on the integration process.
President Klaus Iohannis: “Romania’s objective is to stand by those member states that act towards strengthening the EU. The closer we get to this nucleus of states, the more we will be able to count on the European decision-making process, and therefore the more chances of development we will have. Against this background, it is in our own interest that European integration should continue at a deeper level. Romania’s joining the Eurozone as soon as possible, when all conditions are met, is an essential step towards consolidating Romania’s role at European level.”
Romania’s President also said that accession to Schengen would add value, to both Romania and the entire free movement area. Development within a united and strong European Union is the only possible option for Romania, President Klaus Iohannis said before the Romanian Parliament.
