Today, Romania marks 20 years since its entry into NATO in times of Russian threats. The message of Klaus Iohannis, candidate for the position of general secretary of the Alliance

“Romania’s membership in NATO 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 consolidated its position within the alliance by respecting its security commitments in the Black Sea area”, says Marcel Ciolacu on Friday, on the page from Facebook.

The Prime Minister says that Romania will continue to be an influential and constructive actor within NATO in order to strengthen and develop the alliance in such a way that collective security guarantees provide Romanians with the stability and security they need for Romania’s development.

“Today marks 20 years since Romania’s admission to NATO. 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 the consolidation of the rule of law, these years have marked impressive developments under the NATO security umbrella. As a general, I know very well 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 training level 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” , says Nicolae Ciucă on Friday.

He states that in the last 20 years, Romania has shown that it is a reliable, serious and responsible ally.

“As a member 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 is,” Ciucă added.

Romania became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with the submission of the instrument of accession to the organization at the State Department of the United States of America in Washington, DC, on March 29, 2004. The ceremony of raising the Romanian flag at the NATO headquarters took place on April 2, 2004.

The Romanian state received the invitation to open accession negotiations to the Alliance in 2002, at the Prague Summit, together with Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Romania became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with the submission of the instrument of accession to the organization at the State Department of the United States of America in Washington, DC, on March 29, 2004. The ceremony of raising the Romanian flag at the NATO headquarters took place on April 2, 2004.

Every year, on the first Sunday of April, “NATO Day in Romania” is celebrated.

MFA initiative, HERE.