The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, the Government, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the President of the Senate, Nicolae Ciucă, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminița Odobescu, but also the Minister of National Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Cătălin Predoi, transmitted on Friday, March 29, 2024 , messages on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Romania's accession to NATO.
Romania celebrates 20 years since joining NATO Photo: Archive
“Today, Romania celebrates 20 years since joining the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance. Two decades ago, the ceremony of depositing the instrument of ratification, in Washington, and then the raising of the national flag at the NATO headquarters in Brussels marked unequivocally Romania's reintegration into the transatlantic family, to which our country is linked by its firm attachment to the values that stand at the base of the Alliance: democracy, individual freedoms, respect for human rights and the rule of law“, stated Klaus Iohannis, according to the Presidential Administration.
The head of state emphasized that NATO is the most important and powerful political and security organization in history, “and its relevance is all the greater in the extremely complex context we are going through.” “In the 20 years since Romania's accession, the number of international security crises has increased significantly, culminating in the illegal, illegitimate and unprovoked war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine”, Klaus Iohannis added.
The President emphasized the importance of Romania's accession to NATO, the European Union and the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America. “Our country has demonstrated that it is an essential partner in the development of the Alliance's deterrence and defense efforts on the Eastern Flank, including by operationalizing the Deveselu anti-missile shield and by strengthening, together with NATO allies, the security of the Black Sea”specified Iohannis.
The head of state said that Romania has proven its status as an important provider of security at the regional and Euro-Atlantic level, paying tribute to those who fell in the line of duty for security, peace and protecting democracy.
“Our continued, sustained and dedicated commitment underscores our firm belief that unity, solidarity and cooperation are essential to countering the severe security threats and challenges we face today. Romania will remain deeply involved in the process of permanent adaptation of NATO, so that the Alliance becomes stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future”, concluded the president.
Government: Joining NATO, a major foreign and security policy aspiration
“The Government of Romania welcomes the marking, today, March 29, 2024, of the 20th anniversary of our country's accession to NATO. For Romania, the integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures represented a moment of special significance, by achieving a major objective of foreign policy and security, which benefited from broad support at the level of the political class and the entire Romanian society”. transmitted, on Friday, the Executive.
The government specifies that the depositing, in Washington, of the instrument of ratification regarding the accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, on March 29, 2004, and the ceremony of raising the Romanian flag at NATO Headquarters, on April 2, were “two moments (which no) marked, formally and symbolically, our country's acquisition of NATO membership status and confirmed the fact that Romania is an integral part of the Euro-Atlantic community”.
The executive emphasizes that in the 20 years since its accession, Romania has strengthened its profile as a responsible ally, actively involved in promoting democratic values and principles, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic space and beyond.
“Today, more than ever, the Eastern Flank, the eastern neighborhood, the Black Sea have become topics of central importance on the allied agenda and Romania benefits from a consolidated allied presence and a reinforced NATO deterrence and defense posture on the national territory and in the region. Romania has demonstrated, during the 20 years since its accession, that it is a genuine provider of security and stability. We have been actively involved in Allied operational efforts and have consistently promoted increased Alliance engagement in support of vulnerable partners, particularly those in the Eastern neighborhood.” the Government also sent, stressing that Romania will continue to act as decisively and that we will be as actively involved in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu: We will continue to be an influential actor within NATO
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, leader of the PSD, claimed that Romania's membership in NATO “it represents a security guarantee for our country“.
“In the 20 years of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Romania has become an important pillar and strengthened its position within the alliance by respecting its security commitments in the Black Sea area. We will continue to be an influential and constructive actor within NATO in order to strengthen and develop our alliance in such a way that collective security guarantees provide Romanians with the stability and security they need for the development of Romania!”, Marcel Ciolacu sent in a post on PSD's Facebook page.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, present on Friday, at the inauguration of the new terminal of Timisoara Airport, emphasized that “Romania is a respected and reliable partner on which NATO relies“.
“Today marks the 20th anniversary of Romania's accession to NATO. Many said even then that such a thing is not possible. Today we are not only full members of the most powerful military alliance in history, but we are a respected and trusted partner that NATO relies on in today's regional security context“, mentioned Ciolacu.
The President of the Senate: Romania has shown that it is a reliable ally
The President of the Senate, PNL leader Nicolae Ciucă, stated on Friday that the security provided by the North Atlantic Alliance, the largest defensive military alliance in history“he provided us with the necessary framework for development”.
“These two decades represented the best period in our history, in every way. The security offered by the largest defensive military alliance in history provided us with the necessary framework for development. Regardless of whether we are talking about economic growth or strengthening the rule of law, these years have marked impressive developments under the NATO security umbrella“, Nicolae Ciucă wrote on his Facebook page.
Nicolae Ciucă, general in reserve, stated that he knows “how valuable is the experience gained by our soldiers in theaters of operations and in joint exercises“. “The application of NATO procedures, operative integration and direct participation in combat missions have greatly raised the level of training of the Romanian Army – an institution that I had the honor to lead as Chief of the Defense Staff and which today keeps us safe” , added Ciuca.
The President of the Senate emphasized that Romania has demonstrated that it is “a reliable NATO ally” and that as members of the North Atlantic Alliance, “we have benefits and rights, but we also know our obligations and responsibilities well” “In a troubled period, marked by the provocation of the war of conquest started by Russia against Ukraine, we understand, together, as a nation, how important Romania's membership of a western security structure“, added Nicolae Ciucă.
Foreign Minister: This success was also possible thanks to the political consensus
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminiţa Odobescu, stated that for two decades Romania has been part of the Euro-Atlantic space of values, security and collective defense, it contributes politically and militarily to the fulfillment of all its tasks and has all the rights of an Allied state.
Luminiţa Odobescu emphasized that along with joining the EU, membership in NATO is “the greatest success of Romanian foreign policy and diplomacy”, to which generations of diplomats and soldiers contributed, thanking everyone and congratulating them for their perseverance and team spirit. “This success was also possible thanks to the political consensus generated by the overwhelming and constant support of public opinion”, mentioned the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that Europe, the Euro-Atlantic space and the world have changed profoundly in these 20 years. “Russia's aggression on Ukraine has been showing us for two years what threats exist in our immediate vicinity and how we are defended against them. As NATO members, we are safe from these threats thanks to our own efforts, supplemented by Allied support. The presence in Romania of thousands of soldiers from many NATO states such as the USA, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, with ground troops, air police missions or capabilities are concrete examples”. added Odobescu, stating that our country offers them all the support “and the fact that they are in Romania is a clear proof of Allied solidarity”.
Defense Minister: Romania received the most solid security guarantees
The Minister of Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, said that in these 20 years since joining NATO, “Romania received the most solid security guarantees, thanks to its membership in the strongest political-military alliance in the world, and became stronger and more visible in the Euro-Atlantic plane“.
Tîlvăr emphasized that this whole course could not be achieved without the Romanian Army and its devoted people, paying tribute to the heroes who fell in the line of duty in the theaters of operations and expressing his respect and gratitude for the soldiers wounded during combat actions, for the veterans in the theaters of operations, as well as for the personnel of the Ministry of National Defense who contributed to the evolution of our country within the Alliance.
“Last but not least, I thank the Romanian military who currently participate in missions, operations and exercises under the NATO banner and demonstrate that Romania is not only a beneficiary, but also a security provider alongside its strategic partners.” the Minister of National Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, also pointed out.
The Minister of the Interior: Let's fight extremist tendencies
The Minister of Internal Affairs Cătălin Predoiu stated that the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Romania's accession to NATO is an event that brings us back to our attention “the security guarantees enjoyed by our country all the more in a complicated regional geopolitical context and in a world of developments from the perspective of safety and security”.
Predoiu emphasized that participation in NATO's complex collective security system serves Romania's security interests. “Our country responsibly assumed the status of a NATO state, and the Romanian military and policemen proved their professionalism and patriotism in international missions, contributing to the strengthening of our country's position within the Alliance and international stability, peace and security”. stated the Minister of the Interior.
Cătălin Predoiu drew attention that “it is the duty of every Romanian to capitalize on the guarantees of security and stability that we enjoy, so that under the security umbrella of NATO we create well-being and prosperity for our citizens, to fight extremist tendencies, to defend freedom and democracy” .
