Romania and NATO

NATOs 70th anniversary and 15 years since Romania joined the Alliance were celebrated in Bucharest on April 7th.

Corina Cristea, 08.04.2019, 15:31

On March 29th, 2004, Romania officially joined NATO, by submitting the ratification instruments to the US Department of State, which is the depository for the North-Atlantic Alliance Treaty. There followed the official hoisting of the Romanian flag at the NATO headquarters, on April 2004. Since then, Romania has officially celebrated NATO Day each year, on the first Sunday of April. Attending the military ceremony organized on the occasion by the Defense Ministry in Bucharest, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stressed how important national consensus was for Romania’s taking the path towards the North-Atlantic Alliance. 15 years since it became a member, Romania is ready to face the latest security threats and will keep playing an active part in securing the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area.

Here is PM Viorica Dancila: “We continue to be an important participant in the NATO peace-keeping operations and in ensuring stability in various conflict areas. On this occasion, I would like to applaud the professionalism and human qualities of the Romanian soldiers deployed in theatres of operations abroad, who have done everything to help defend and improve the lives of the local populations, earning their friendship and respect.”

The decisions made at the NATO summits have taken into consideration Romania’s stand, which has led to an advanced ground, air and naval presence in the Black Sea area, and which has in turned increased NATO’s security overall, the Romanian Prime Minister has also stated. Ms. Dancila has also stressed the fact the Romania is a direct beneficiary of the consolidation of NATO’s defense and deterrence position on the Eastern flank.

The Romanian Army has substantially contributed to the NATO missions and operations, ever since pre-accession, the Chief of the General Staff of the Romanian Armed Forces, General Nicolae Ionel Ciuca has stated: “Some 1000 soldiers are currently taking part in operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans, and the Romanian Army’s efforts and commitment with regard to Euro-Atlantic security are appreciated all over the world and have strengthened Romania’s international status as a reliable ally and partner.”

This is the third year when Romania has allocated 2% of the GDP for defense, and decision-makers are saying that the equipping of the Romanian Army with modern equipment will continue, in order to meet the NATO standards and face the security challenges in the areas where Romanian soldiers are taking part in allied missions. Along the years, 29 soldiers have died and 180 have been wounded in such missions.