Romanian Senate Chairman Nicolae Ciuca, said on Friday, October 25, Romanian Armed Forces Day, that the day marks 80 years since the liberation of Northern Transylvania, with October 25 becoming a day of sacrifice, but also of gratitude.

He participated in a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Carol I Park in Bucharest.

„We are together at the celebration of the soul of the soldiers of the Romanian Army, at the celebration that honours the devotion of the Romanian military and their sacrifice for the country. Today we mark a round figure, 80 years, from the moment of the liberation of Northern Transylvania, from what was to become the Romanian Armed Forces Day. It is a day of sacrifice, but also a day of thanksgiving. On this day, perhaps more than ever, we remember that Romania owes a lot to its soldiers, to their capacity for sacrifice, to their love for the country. The prestige of the Romanian Army was built by those who fought for this nation, who were wounded and who died in battles. At the same time, today we celebrate the spirit of fraternity, of camaraderie, which exists in the Romanian Army and among the Romanian military. All those who have served in uniform know well the soul bonds that military service creates, the lifelong friendships that are formed in the military environment,” Ciuca said.

According to him, the Romanian Army’s NATO membership meant greater security for the country and also better equipping for its military, and given the circumstances, it is necessary to increase the defence budget and more serious funding the defence industry as an additional investment in national security.

„Romania’s army has been a NATO army for 20 years, and that has also meant greater security for the country and better equipment for its soldiers. National defence funding has gradually increased over the past decade, but it needs to grow more in the coming years. There is a need to further increase defence spending proportional to the needs of credible deterrence integrated at NATO level and to Romania’s level of ambition.

„It is important, in particular, to finance the Romanian defence industry more seriously, which would be both an additional investment in national security and an investment in reviving Romania’s overall industrial capacity. I said that I want a prosperous and secure Romania. In order to secure the peace and security of every Romanian citizen and to avoid war, we must develop the capacity to defend ourselves and deter any possible aggression. At the same time, the state must treat the military with respect – including by eliminating inequities regarding their pensions,” Ciuca said.

As for external threats, especially the Russian aggression in Ukraine, Ciuca said that Romania should rely first of all on itself and then on its allies.

„External threats and – first of all, the Russian aggression in Ukraine – are forcing us to be on alert and to think long-term. We must rely on ourselves first of all for national security, and secondly on our allies. In the current geopolitical context, Romania has the opportunity to become the most solid pillar of stability and security in the region. The development in Romania of one of the largest NATO bases in Europe will strengthen national security and attract strategic investments,” Ciuca said.

Many Bucharest residents on Friday attended in Carol Park a ceremony honouring the heroes of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, an event that included a religious service, followed by the taking of the military oath by students of the Defence Technology Academy of the National Defence University and the Military Medicine Institute.

The event was also attended by President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Minister of National Defence Angel Tilvar.

At the end of the ceremony, wreaths were laid.

The event ended with the overflight of Air Force General Staff airplanes and a parade of the guard of honour and students.

AGERPRES