Strong ties between Romania and the US
Romania's President Klaus Iohannis paid a visit to Washington last week
România Internațional, 12.06.2017, 13:06
Last week, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis paid a five-day visit to the US. The most important part of the visit was on Friday, when Iohannis met the US President Donald Trump. The main topics of discussion were the Romanian – US Strategic Partnership, signed twenty years ago, the fight against corruption and terrorism, and the budget earmarked for defense. The two heads of state highlighted the fact that this Partnership must grow stronger and define bilateral relations, because this is important to both nations. According to the Romanian head of state, the partnership with the US has helped Romania become what it is today: a solid democracy, with a solid an sustainable economic growth, a country who’s been standing together with the US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iohannis stressed the fact that the Romanian – American relations and the trans-Atlantic ties are vital.
Romania is a member of the European Union. And I think it’s the best interest of you, Mr. President, to have a strong European Union as a partner. This is vital for all of us. Our relationship, the transatlantic link is vital. The transatlantic link is not about diplomacy, about policy, it’s at the basis of our Western civilization. And together, we will make it stronger. Together, we will make it better, the Romanian President told Donald Trump. NATO and the European Union do not have to compete against each other. They have to work together. They have to work in such a manner as to produce synergetic effects. Make NATO stronger. Make Europe stronger. Make the United States of America stronger, the Romanian president also said.
Klaus Iohannis also highlighted the fact that Romania relies on the US as regards the Eastern Flank, because Romania cannot stand there without the US. On the other hand, the Romanian President also said, the partnership between Romania and the US has a huge opportunity to step up not only in security matters, but also in commercial and economic matters.
In turn, the US President Donald Trump hailed the relationship with Romania and stated that the Strategic Partnership covers many dimensions, including economic, military and cultural ties. The White House leader thanked the Romanian people for their support in combating terrorism. Romania has been a valuable member of the coalition to defeat ISIS, the US President said, adding that Romania is the fourth-largest contributor of troops in Afghanistan. Many Romanian soldiers have paid the ultimate price for being there and the American honors their sacrifice, the US President also said. President Donald Trump also appreciated the fact that Romania has earmarked 2% of its GDP to defense and voiced hope that other NATO allies would follow Romania’s lead in that respect.
In another move, Donald Trump clearly committed the US to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, which binds the members together, committing them to protect each other and setting a spirit of solidarity with any member under attack. The White House leader, who called the Romanian President a good friend, also applauded his Romanian counterpart’s courage and courageous efforts in Romania to fight corruption and defend the rule of law.
The conclusion of the meeting between the two heads of state was drawn by President Trump himself, who wrote on Facebook: Great honour to welcome President Klaus Iohannis to the White House. The future of Romania and Romania’s relationship with the United States is very, very bright.
