Romania, 20 years in NATO. Iohannis: Our country has become an “important provider of security at the regional and Euro-Atlantic level”

President Klaus Iohannis sent a message on Friday on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Romania’s accession to NATO, in which he shows that our country has become “an essential partner in the development of the Alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts on the Eastern Flank”.

“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.

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”, reads the president’s message, sent by the Presidential Administration.

Klaus Iohannis also states that Romania has become “an essential partner in the development of the Alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts on the Eastern Flank”.

“Since 2004, our country has contributed to all the efforts of the Alliance to ensure the security and prosperity of the member states. For Romania, membership in NATO, the European Union and the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America represent the pillars of our defense and economic development.

Two decades after joining, we also mark the important role that Romania played in strengthening security and promoting stability as a member of NATO. 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, security in the Black Sea.

Over time, Romania has proven its status as an important security provider at the regional and Euro-Atlantic level, contributing to a significant number of NATO missions and operations. Today, our thoughts turn with gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending the values ​​that define the Alliance. We pay tribute to those who have fallen 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”, the message concludes.

Publisher: BP