President Iohannis:We must show future generations that we are capable successors of the Greater Union project

President Klaus Iohannis stated on Saturday in Alba Iulia that we have the duty to show, through what we carry out, that we are "the capable successors of the Greater Union project."

"We, the ones today, have the privilege to have inherited the fruit of the most important project ever materialised in the space of our ancestors. It is our duty and responsibility to pay tribute to the past and to infuse future generations with national ideals recharged with new meanings. (...) We must show to the future generations that we are, through what we carry out, the capable successors of the Greater Union project," the head of state said at the inauguration of the Union Monument in Alba Iulia.

The head of state said he is honored to be the President of Romania during the Greater Union Centennial.

In his speech, the President evoked the moments of 1918.

"Thanks to the commitment of its leaders, the intellectuals' contribution and the people's will, the Greater Union has capitalised on the closeness between the Romanians and the national minorities, for the construction of a state of human dignity, good cohabitation and tolerance," Iohannis said.

He showed that the Monument of the Greater Union Centennial depicts "the embrace, one century ago, between the Romanians on one side and the other of the Carpathians."

"I call on you to preserve our gratitude for the founders of the modern Romania in our souls, building, at the same time, a better future for its citizens. Our Romania which we want to pass over to our descendants will be a dignified and strong country, well integrated through education, culture and creativity in an Europe of values and prosperity, and freedom. Many happy returns, dear Romanians! Happy birthday Romania!," Iohannis conveyed.

The head of state was welcomed with applause and cheers at the events taking place in Alba Iulia.

Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar and Patriarch Daniel were among the attendees of the event in Alba Iulia.

President Klaus Iohannis laid a wreath on Saturday at the bust of King Ferdinand, "The Unifier". He attended the military ceremony organized in Alba Iulia on the occasion of the National Day of Romania.

On Saturday morning, the head of state participated in the Military Parade organized at the Arch of Triumph Square in Bucharest. AGERPRES (RO - author: Florentina Peia, editor: Mirela Barbulescu; EN - editor: Rodica State)