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

Tîlvăr: I am convinced that NATO will pass the test of time

Friday marks 20 years since Romania officially submitted the accession instruments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a historic act by which our country integrated into the Euro-Atlantic family and evolved together with the other NATO member states, says the Minister of Defense, Angel Tilvar.

“It’s been 20 years since Romania received the most solid security guarantees, thanks to its membership in the strongest political-military alliance in the world, and it became stronger and more visible in the Euro-Atlantic plane. All this journey could not be achieved without the Romanian Army and its devoted people. Today we pay tribute to the heroes who fell in the line of duty in the theaters of operations and became anchors in time for the following generations. At the same time, I express my respect and gratitude for the soldiers wounded during the combat actions, for the veterans from the theaters of operations, as well as for the staff 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”, says the minister.

Angel Tîlvăr assures, on this special day, the military of NATO member countries deployed on the territory of Romania, full consideration. He says that they contribute to ensuring an effective and consolidated deterrence and defense position in the Black Sea region and on the entire eastern flank.

“The contribution of our allies to ensuring Romania’s security is a strong proof of allied solidarity and cohesion, as well as of NATO’s collective defense capacity. This year, the North Atlantic Alliance celebrates 75 years since its foundation. In the seven and a half decades of the Alliance’s existence, there have been more or less disturbed periods in terms of security. The NATO values, transposed in the assurance of peace, freedom and attachment to the values ​​of democracy, are the most important achievements of this political-military alliance. NATO membership is one of the fundamental pillars of the defense and security system in Romania, along with EU membership and the strategic partnership with the USA. 20 years after joining, our country is an ally fully committed to preserving NATO’s values ​​and I express my conviction that the North Atlantic Alliance will pass the test of time ensuring freedom and security for the next generations”, says the Minister of Defense, angel Tîlvăr.

“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.