NATO Day in Romania
Leyla Cheamil, 05.04.2021, 11:25
NATO Day was celebrated in Romania on Sunday, a major event for a member of the North-Atlantic Alliance. 17 years have passed since Romania became a full-fledged member of the organization. The NATO summit of November 2002 in Prague was one of the most important moments in the development of NATO, and the biggest enlargement wave as seven states were invited to join: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. On March 29th, 2004, Romania officially joined the Alliance, after it had deposited the instruments of ratification of the Treaty of the North-Atlantic Alliance in Washington, and on April 2nd the national flag-raising ceremony was held at the NATO headquarters in Belgium.
In the messages convened on the occasion, the Bucharest authorities commit themselves to maintaining a significant contribution to strengthening the alliance and to the collective defense efforts. The North Atlantic Alliance strengthens Europe’s unique and deep connection with North America, both continents united by democratic values and common security interests, and NATO has also played an important role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, a message from President Klaus Iohannis reads. The head of state also says that it is very important for Romania to continue on the path of strengthening the Strategic Partnership between NATO and the European Union to ensure the security and prosperity of its citizens.
In turn, the Prime Minister Florin Cîţu has stated that, for over 70 years, the North Atlantic Alliance has demonstrated the ability to face the most difficult security challenges, through its continuous adaptation, through the effective mode of action and, especially, through the solidarity and unity of its allies. For Romania, Florin Cîţu has also said, NATO has been and continues to be the main guarantor and the fundamental pillar of national defense and security. The Prime Minister has recalled that Bucharest has an active and significant contribution to Allied missions and operations, as well as a distinct and active role in shaping NATO policies and decisions, including measures to strengthen the deterrence and defense posture.
Romania has been part of the most successful alliance in human history for 17 years – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which ensures the security of over a billion citizens, said the President of the Social Democratic Party Marcel Ciolacu from the opposition camp. He also stated that Bucharest is an important and influential ally within NATO, representing a basic pillar of security in the Black Sea region and on the Eastern flank, a fact also reflected by the fact that the number 2 position in the organization, that of deputy secretary general is represented by the Romanian Mircea Geoana. (MI)
