Joe Biden and Klaus Iohannis will celebrate, in Washington, 20 years since Romania has been a member of NATO

The President of the USA, Joe Biden, meets the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, on Tuesday at the White House. The two leaders will celebrate 20 years since Romania has been a member of NATO, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Monday, according to the White House website.

According to the quoted source, President Biden will thank President Iohannis for hosting American soldiers in Romania and will recognize the many contributions that Romania, a staunch NATO ally, has made to security on the Eastern flank of the Alliance, especially in the region Black Seas.

The leaders will emphasize their continued support for Ukraine, which continues to defend itself against Russian aggression.

They will also discuss the many fields in which Romania and the United States collaborate, including energy, economic cooperation and shared democratic values.

According to a press release from the Romanian Presidential Administration, priority topics of the international and bilateral agenda will be discussed on this occasion. A special place in the exchange of opinions between the two heads of state will be occupied by the situation in Ukraine and the Black Sea basin, as well as the strengthening of security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The high-level dialogue will be a good opportunity for raising the profile of the Strategic Partnership with the United States and reconfirming the privileged bilateral relations between the two states and multisectoral cooperation.

President Iohannis’ visit to the USA will be a good opportunity to reaffirm Romania’s role as a security provider and active actor in the management of international crises and respected by the partners of the North Atlantic Alliance, the Presidential Administration says.

The official delegation that will accompany the head of state to Washington will include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminiţa Odobescu, and Deputy Prime Minister Cătălin Predoiu, the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Klaus Iohannis will receive on May 8, during a ceremony in Washington, the Distinguished International Leadership Award granted by the Atlantic Council for his outstanding career, for Romania’s exemplary leadership and for his role as a transatlantic and European leader, according to the institution’s website.

The Atlantic Council is a prestigious American organization of the “think tank” type, founded in 1961, with a rich activity in the field of international affairs. Annually, the Atlantic Council awards a limited number of personalities who embody the essence of the transatlantic relationship and who have contributed to its consolidation, in all its dimensions (political, economic, security and defense, art, humanitarian activities, etc.).

Past recipients of The Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards include US Presidents George W. Bush (2018), William J. Clinton (2010) and George HW Bush (2009), US Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. (2011) – current US president, European Commission presidents Ursula von der Leyen (2021) and Jose Manuel Barroso (2014), Italian prime minister Mario Draghi (2022), German chancellor Helmut Kohl (2009), British Prime Minister Tony Blair (2008), as well as other heads of state and government or leaders of international organizations.

“Washington Oscars” – The Atlantic Council will award President Iohannis the award for outstanding international leadership, Romania’s exemplary leadership and for his role as a transatlantic and European leader