Romanian officials mark 20 years of NATO membership
Romanian officials marked 20 years since the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Friday, March 29, noting the importance of Romania’s membership in the defensive military alliance.
Radu Dumitrescu · Journalist
· Updated · 4 min read
Romanian officials marked 20 years since the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Friday, March 29, noting the importance of Romania’s membership in the defensive military alliance.
On March 29, 2004, Romania officially joined NATO by submitting the documents of ratification at the US State Department, the depositary state of the North Atlantic Treaty. This was followed, on April 2, 2004, by the official raising ceremony of the Romanian flag at NATO headquarters.
President Klaus Iohannis said that Romania has become "a crucial partner in developing the Alliance's deterrence and defense efforts on the Eastern Flank."
"In the 20 years since Romania's accession, the number of international security crises has significantly increased, culminating in the illegal, illegitimate, and unprovoked aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine," the president's message reads, cited by Digi24.
He also said that Romania is firmly attached to the values that underpin the Alliance: democracy, individual liberties, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
“Today, our thoughts are gratefully directed to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, defending the values that define the Alliance. We pay tribute to those who have fallen on duty for security, peace, and the protection of democracy. Our continuous, sustained, and dedicated commitment underscores the firm belief that unity, solidarity, and cooperation are essential to counter the severe security threats and challenges we face today. Romania will remain deeply involved in NATO's ongoing adaptation process so that the Alliance becomes stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future," the president's message concludes.
Meanwhile, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said that Romania is an important pillar of NATO and the security of the Black Sea. “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 the guarantees of collective security ensure Romanians the stability and security they need for Romania's development!" the PM wrote on Facebook.
In addition to the president and the prime minister, defence minister Angel Tîlvăr noted that Romania’s accession to NATO was a historic act, one in which Romania entered the Euro-Atlantic family and received its most solid security guarantees in its entire history.
