NATO and European security
Romania maintains its commitment to contribute to the consolidation of NATOs eastern flank, say Romanian authorities on NATO Day.
Roxana Vasile, 04.04.2016, 13:41
12 years ago, on March 29, Romania joined NATO
by submitting the ratification instruments to the US State Department, the
repository of the NATO treaty. On April 2, 2004, Romania’s flag was hoisted at
the NATO headquarters. Since 2005, Romania has celebrated NATO Day every year
on the first Sunday of April, an opportunity to celebrate democracy and
European and euro-Atlantic values.
This year, a military ceremony was held at the
headquarters of the Defence Ministry, which opened its doors to the public.
Other events included a weapon handling demonstration held by the Mihai Viteazu
30th Guard Regiment, an exhibition of military technique and
screenings of films with a military theme. A special military ceremony also
took place at the Kandahar airbase in Afghanistan, which was attended by
soldiers of the Calugareni Force Protection Infantry Battalion as well as by
the team training the Afghan security forces. Besides these ceremonies, NATO
Day was also an occasion for the Romanian officials to reiterate that Romania
is a reliable NATO ally, which participates actively in the process of NATO
consolidation.
The country’s defence minister Mihnea Motoc
recalled that in the 12 years that have passed since its NATO accession,
Romania has proved that it is a trusted ally:
Romania is appreciated as a solid ally. Within
NATO, it is known that Romania is an ally that has always observed its pledges.
We have a major contribution to all NATO-run operations and missions, we have
had a major contribution to the exchange of information within the Alliance
ever since we joined the Alliance, and today I am proud, as a Romanian, that
our citizens continue to support these international organisations that are
essential for the world we live in today and whose values we share.
In the context of a radically different
security situation in Europe over the past years, Romania maintains its
commitment to contribute to the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank, as
stated by both the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and prime minister Dacian
Ciolos.
Klaus Iohannis said Romania’s NATO accession 12
years ago was one of the most remarkable achievements of the contemporary
Romanian foreign policy. Prime minister Ciolos pointed out that his government
maintains its promise to increase the army’s operational capacity and to
allocate it the necessary funds to acquire the needed equipment and improve the
quality of life for the military.
Last year, Bucharest saw the inauguration of
the Multinational Division Southeast, an allied command and control structure,
as well as of the NATO Force Integration Unit. Works are under way to finalise
the American anti-missile defence shield in Deveselu, in southern Romania,
which will soon be transferred to NATO forces as scheduled.
