DefMin Fifor:14 years after accession, Romanians benefit from strongest security, stability guarantees

14 years after Romania's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, Romanians benefit from the strongest security and stability guarantees of our entire national history, National Defence Minister Mihai Fifor stated on Sunday, on the occasion of the NATO Day in Romania.

On the occasion of the NATO Day in Romania, on Sunday, at the National Defence Ministry (MApN) headquarters, a military ceremony for hoisting Romania's and NATO's flag took place. Moreover, at the request of local authorities, similar ceremonies dedicated to Romania's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation were carried out in county seats and local garrisons, according to the Law No.390/2004.

"It's an important celebration for us as a nation, through its deep significance, because it marks Romania's accession to NATO, the most powerful political-military alliance in history. As a strategic objective of Romania, the accession in the Euro-Atlantic community meant taking on the membership to a community of values and principles based on respect towards democracy and the rule of law for all 29 members countries. 14 years after our country's accession, Romanians benefit from the strongest security and stability guarantees of our entire national history. (...) On the NATO Day, I pay a homage to all those who gave their lives in theaters of war or in missions conducted on national soil, in the name of the country and for the country. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. I assure the families of our heroes that they will benefit a permanent support from Romania's Army," the Minister showed in the message conveyed on this occasion.

According to the Minister, Romania has earned the chance to irreversible validate its democratic and Pro-Western vocation by joining the Alliance with full rights.

He says that the membership to NATO and the European Union, namely the materialisation of the Strategic Partnership with the US represents solid pillars of the foundation of national security and basic benchmarks in standing out on the scene of our country's diplomatic relations as a strong voice in Europe and around the world.

"Collective defence inside an allied framework means today, more than ever, acknowledging the fact that the security of each state can be ensured more efficiently together than separately. At the 2016 NATO Summit in Warsaw, we have decided to strengthen our collective defence capability on the Eastern Flank, in order to be better prepared to simultaneously generate deterrence and defence, in parallel with ensuring openness towards dialogue and partnerships with states that share the values and principles of the Euro Atlantic community. I participated on 22 March, as Minister of National Defence, in the signing-ceremony of declaring the final capability for the Multinational Division South - East Command in Bucharest. The event, with a special significance for Romania, that was carried out at the "Getica" Land Forces Combat Training Centre, proves, once again, Romania's substantial contribution to strengthening the eastern flank of the Alliance," the Minister underscored.

Romania's Government observes the commitment it took on through the governing programme, granting a maximum importance to strengthening the country's defence capability and acting in order to fulfill its major objective in the endowment area, as well in terms of preparing and training troops, Fifor stated.

Therefore, as of 2017, Romania earmarked to Defence two percent of the GDP and it will continue to do so until 2026, Mihai Fifor gave assurances.

"In the annual report of the NATO Secretary General, Romania's performances are highlighted in respect to the allocations for Defence in 2017. The spending percentage for endowment within the total budget, ranks our country first inside the Alliance, by 33 percent. Romania also ranks first in respect to the growth rate of the defense budget compared to the previous year," he says.

Through these active measures, the substantial commitment is reconfirmed in order to fulfill Romania's obligations on all important topics featuring on NATO agenda, based on the national decision to secure the budgetary resources needed to upgrade and strengthen defense capabilities, he mentions.

"We give maximum priority to observing the commitment took on in Wales in this area - Defense Pledge. By adequately financing the procurement of equipment / technical equipment essential to the endowment of force structure and the revitalization of existing military equipment and techniques, which have been a priority last year and throughout this year, our country proves that it meets its obligations as a member of NATO and that it is a credible and predictable ally in this region of Europe. On an allied level, we are in full process of preparing for the future Brussels Summit. Today, the allied advanced presence is materialized across the entire Eastern Flank of the Alliance, both in the northeast (the Baltic area) and in the Southeast, on the national territory and the Black Sea. We continue to mainly focus on its implementation and, in this context, we are looking forward to important decisions in July, relevant to the allied defence and deterrence posture," reads the minister's message.

He gave assurances that our country will be next to the allies in political-military structures, where the foundations of collective security are laid for all the citizens of the allied countries and partner states, in command structures and training centers and, last but not least, in theaters of war, "where Romanian servicemen proudly represent our country, being the most important ambassadors of Romania around the world."

*** On 29 March 2004, Romania officially joined NATO by depositing its ratification instruments with the State Department of the United States of America, the depositary state of the North Atlantic Treaty. The deposit of ratification instruments was followed, on 2 April 2004, by the official national flag hoisting ceremony at NATO headquarters.

Based on the Law No. 390 of 28 September 2004, the NATO Day in Romania is celebrated each year on the first Sunday of April. The NATO Day is a public celebration dedicated to democracy, the European and Euro-Atlantic spirit. AGERPRES (RO - editor: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - editor: Rodica State)