Romania is celebrating 20 years since it has joined NATO.
President Klaus Iohannis sent a message on Friday on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Romania’s accession to NATO, showing 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.
PM Ciolacu: Romania has become an important pillar and consolidated its position within the alliance
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also stated that our country has become an important pillar and has consolidated its position within the alliance. “We will continue to be an influential and constructive actor within NATO”, PM said.
“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. 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!”, wrote Ciolacu on Facebook.
On March 29, 2004, Romania officially joined NATO by submitting the instruments of ratification to the US State Department, depository state of the North Atlantic Treaty. The submission of the instruments of ratification was followed, on April 2, 2004, by the ceremony of the official hoisting of the Romanian flag at the NATO headquarters. Based on a legislative proposal, since 2005, “NATO Day in Romania” is celebrated on the first Sunday of April.
U.S. Embassy Congratulates Romania on 20th Anniversary of NATO Accession
The U.S. Embassy in Romania extended its warmest congratulations to Romania and the Romanian people on the 20th anniversary of Romania’s accession into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
On March 29, 2004 in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase formally submitted Romania’s instruments of accession to the U.S. Government, which serves as the depositary of the North Atlantic Treaty. The ceremony took place in the Cash Room at the US Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. This significant step marked Romania’s entry into NATO during the second wave of post-Cold War enlargement, alongside Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
On that historic day, U.S. President George W. Bush hosted the Prime Ministers of these seven nations, along with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, on the White House South Lawn. In welcoming the new NATO members, President Bush recalled that, “When NATO was founded, the people of these seven nations were captives of an empire. They endured bitter tyranny, they struggled for independence, they earned their freedom through courage and perseverance. And today they stand with us as full and equal partners in this great alliance.” This milestone was followed on April 2 by the raising of Romania’s flag at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Commenting on this important anniversary, Ambassador Kavalec remarked that “Romania’s accession into NATO marked a significant milestone in our enduring strategic partnership. Over the past two decades, Romania has played a crucial role in promoting security and cooperation within the alliance, contributing to peacekeeping operations, and enhancing interoperability among member states.”
She continued, “As we celebrate this important anniversary, we commend Romania’s dedication to NATO’s values and its unwavering support for Euro-Atlantic security. Together we stand united in our commitment to safeguarding our shared democratic values and promoting stability in the region.”
Congratulations, Romania, on this significant milestone in your journey as a valued member of the NATO alliance!
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