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Romanian President Klaus Iohannis ends his official trip to the United States of America with a visit to the White House and a meeting with President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
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His visit comes as Romania and the US celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. During a White House press conference held together with Klaus Iohannis, Donald Trump hailed this alliance that began 20 years ago and expressed a wish to make “those ties even stronger”. President Trump called Romania a good friend of America and said the two countries share much in common, including a love of freedom.<\/p>\n
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Romania has boosted its defence spending to the NATO benchmark of 2% of GDP, something the American president said he would like to see other countries emulate. He also thanked Romania for its contribution to common defence and the fight against terrorism, saying it is a valuable ally. He also applauded Romanias efforts in clamping down on corruption.<\/p>\n
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President Iohannis said the two leaders had a very good meeting and reiterated the importance of the Strategic Partnership for Romania, which, he said, had shaped Romania as it is today and helped it become a solid democracy with solid and sustainable economic growth.<\/p>\n
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Iohannis also emphasised the importance of the transatlantic relationship, saying that NATO and the European Union do not have to compete, but work together.<\/p>\n
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Before meeting the US President, the Romanian President attended the American Jewish Committee Global Forum as a guest of honour, receiving the Light Unto the Nations award for Holocaust remembrance work. He also met US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, members of the US Congress, the president pro tempore of the United States Senate Orrin Hatch and other senators, and representatives of the Romanian community living in the US.<\/p>\n
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President Iohannis is the first head of state from Eastern Europe to be received by Donald Trump at the White House.<\/p>\n
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