Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday that Romania „will not be drawn into any war” and that peace, stability and security are guaranteed by the country’s strategic partnership with the US and the NATO membership.

Ciolacu, who participated in the ceremony held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carol I Park, on the occasion of the Romanian Army Day, stressed that, in the current context, the pace of modernisation of the Romanian Army must be sped up, by equipping it with latest weapon systems.

„We are living complicated times, with a war at the border, and we have to face a security situation that generates incessant challenges. As prime minister, my priority is for our country to develop in peace and tranquility, and Romania will not be drawn into any war. Romania’s peace, stability and security are guaranteed every single day through the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America and the NATO membership. However, the current situation obliges us to speed up the pace of modernisation of the Romanian Army. It forces us to invest heavily in the defence industry. With the 2.5% of GDP for defence, we will equip ourselves with latest generation weapons systems for all categories of armed forces. Equally, we will ensure highly trained and motivated human resources for performance,” the prime minister said.

According to Ciolacu, Romania will continue to support Ukraine to defend its independence and sovereignty, this support „being vital to ensure peace” in our country. He added that Romania will also support the Republic of Moldova „in every possible way” to maintain its pro-European orientation.

„These are two anchors that we will strengthen in the face of Russia’s attempts to destabilise the region both politically and economically,” Ciolacu said.

He brought to mind that October 25 marks eight decades since the end of the Romanian Army’s operations in World War II on the territory of the country, with the liberation of the city of Carei.

„We are here today at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to show Romanians and the whole world that this nation will never forget its heroes,” the prime minister added.

He voiced his gratitude to the military who have been killed or wounded in missions in theaters of operations or on the national territory.

The ceremony in Carol I Park was also attended by President Klaus Iohannis and Senate President Nicolae Ciuca.

AGERPRES