Romania celebrated NATO Day
On April 2, Romania celebrated 13 years of NATO membership, paying homage to all the Romanian troops who served in allied theatres of operation and who, through their professionalism and sacrifice, have contributed to Romanias prestige within NATO
Corina Cristea, 03.04.2017, 12:53
On the first Sunday in April, Romania, a NATO member since 2004, celebrates NATO Day. This year, on April 2nd, Bucharest and other major Romanian cities played venue for various military ceremonies and events. President Klaus Iohannis has underscored, in his message, that Romania will continue to strengthen its strategic profile within the Alliance and completely meet the objectives assumed. In proof thereof, the president has mentioned Romanias increasing defense spending to 2% of the GDP, as of this year. This is the biggest sum Romania has so far earmarked for defense, since the country joined NATO.
“The Alliance has offered democratic Romania the chance of irreversibly validating its pro-Western and democratic vocation. The Strategic Partnership with the USA as well as NATO and EU membership are pillars of our foreign policy and the construction of a stronger Romania in Europe and in the world is in strong relation with these. Collective allied defense translates today more than ever as awareness of the fact that the security of every state can be assured more efficiently together than separately, the Romanian president went on to say.
The Foreign Ministry has highlighted Romanias being a significant contributor to the alliance by its direct involvement in managing security challenges in the region. “Romania attaches special attention to NATO consolidation, on the basis of a strong trans-Atlantic relation and will continue to actively participate in drafting and pursuing allied policies. The decisions made at the Warsaw Summit of July 2016 confirm NATOs key role in the current international context, marked by uncertainty and numerous challenges, a Foreign Ministry communiqué says.
“The significant progress obtained in implementing these decisions, the document also says, “highlights the determination and capability of the member states of responding these challenges irrespective of their nature or the region they come from. Contributions to implementing advanced allied presence in the Black Sea area, and in Poland, Romanias participation in the NATO missions, such as the one in Afghanistan, or the assistance to Ukraine, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and the partner countries in the Western Balkans are all proof of the fact that Romania is unflinchingly fulfilling its obligations assumed within NATO, under the fundamental principles of allied solidarity and a fair sharing of responsibility among member countries. (Translated by D. Bilt, edited by D. Vijeu)
