President Iohannis convinced Strategic Partnership development will continue under the new U.S. administration

President Klaus Iohannis, speaking today at the decoration ceremony of U.S. ambassador to Romania, Adrian Zuckerman, said that Romania remains a strong ally and a trusted friend of the United States of America. "2020 was also the year of the 140th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, a moment of reflection and projection towards the future, with the confidence that the ties between our countries are stronger than ever. 2021 is the year when we celebrate a decade since the conclusion of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the United States of America and of the Agreement on the deployment of the US missile defense system to Romania. These landmark anniversaries offer us new opportunities to strengthen and deepen the political dialogue and strategic relationship between our countries. I am convinced that, together with the new American administration, we will continue to develop the Strategic Partnership and the strong relationship of trust we have built, based on our shared values and interests. Romania remains a strong ally and a trusted friend of the United States, deeply dedicated to the transatlantic relationship, which is of vital importance," said the head of the state as he presented ambassador Zuckerman with the National Order of the 'Star of Romania' in the rank of Grand Cross. The President pointed out that the deepening and expansion of the Romania - US Strategic Partnership is one of the basic pillars of Romania's foreign and security policy, showing that the fulfillment of this desideratum was fully reflected in the work carried out by the American ambassador throughout his mission to Bucharest. Klaus Iohannis specified that the signing, last year, of the Roadmap on defense cooperation between Romania and the United States, has reinforced the defense and security cooperation between the two countries; in this context, the President reiterated the interest for an increased American military presence in Romania. According to the head of the state, the economic and energy component of the Strategic Partnership has been extended by the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Civil Nuclear Energy and by the progress made in identifying funding sources for strategic relevant projects, as well as for major interconnection projects promoted by Romania, such as Rail2Sea and ViaCarpathia. The outgoing U.S. ambassador to Romania, Adrian Zuckerman, declared himself honored to receive the award, saying that Romania is an amazing country with a bright future and unlimited potential. He also mentioned the 1989 Revolution, Romania's many accomplishments since then and the Romanians' determined choice for freedom and rule of law over the reminiscences of communism and corruption. The new governing coalition will bring the necessary stability and continue the development started last year. I love the country where I was born and I was blessed to be able to return to help Romania achieve greatness, the diplomat concluded. AGERPRES (RO - author: Florentina Peia, editor: Mihai Simionescu; EN - author: Simona Klodnischi, editor: Simona Iacob)