Romania is the ally and strategic partner that will fight tirelessly for freedom, for economic progress and for democracy, so that citizens are protected and have a prosperous life, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday at the Independence Day reception, organized at the Embassy of the United States of America in Bucharest.

He recalled that this year marks two decades since Romania’s accession to NATO and 27 years since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States of America.

„We have a solid friendship, which is reflected in the substantial cooperation on all dimensions of our Strategic Partnership. Currently, we host an increased number of American military personnel, which is not only a success of our defense cooperation, but also a firm proof of solidarity between our states, in these extremely complicated moments for the security of Europe and the Euro-Atlantic region”, the head of state pointed out.

Klaus Iohannis mentioned the support that the allies, including Romania, give to Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and all vulnerable partners in the Black Sea region.

„This is how we contribute to strengthening regional and transatlantic security, as well as to strengthening Romania’s security. I am convinced that at the NATO Summit, which the United States will host next week, we will make important decisions for our collective security. I hail, also in this context, the process of updating the strategic approach of the United States towards the Black Sea, to which our country also contributed,” Klaus Iohannis pointed out.

He said that he discussed this topic recently with his American counterpart, Joe Biden.

„We share the common vision that we must strengthen efforts to strengthen transatlantic unity and to defend our common values. Only in this way can we offer all partners in the region a path to peace, prosperity and Euro-Atlantic integration. The responsible contribution of the states of the region to ensuring security and resilience of the Black Sea is crucial to transform the region into a safe, open and prosperous space”, said Iohannis.

The President emphasized that our country is recognized as a responsible actor and a factor of stability in the Black Sea, contributing both to the security of the region and to the development and strengthening of the transatlantic relationship.

„We will continue to work together, based on common values, including to promote the fundamental importance of new technologies, to secure global supply chains and to strengthen energy security, at the national and regional level,” declared Iohannis.

The head of state mentioned the objective of Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver program. „We will continue to work together with the United States so that this common desire becomes a reality for Romanian citizens in the shortest possible time,” he pointed out.

AGERPRES