President Klaus Iohannis says efforts must be stepped up to strengthen the reservist base and modernise transport infrastructure.

The head of state attended, together with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the conference "ROMANIA-NATO, 20 years", organised by the Ministry of National Defence.

The current context, generated by the war at our borders, increases Romania's relevance as a pillar of regional security and stability, said President Klaus Iohannis, who stressed that our country must intensify efforts to strengthen the reserve of military personnel, to revitalise the national defence industry and to modernise the transport infrastructure."

"The defence of our citizens is one of the fundamental obligations of the Romanian state, but the safety of the people cannot be guaranteed without an army equipped with modern technology. Starting in 2023, Romania has increased the allocation from 2% to 2.5% of GDP for Defence, i.e. to equip the Romanian Army, to motivate, train and improve our military and to increase the level of interoperability with allied forces" - Klaus Iohannis

Joining NATO meant Romania's return to the community of Western values and democratic principles, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu: "Today, Romania is irreversibly anchored in the Euro-Atlantic community and represents, in turn, a NATO strategic anchor on the eastern flank. Romania remains a mature and credible ally, with a proactive attitude and the ability to act in a sustained manner to achieve its own objectives and protect allied values."

Lieutenant-Colonel Raluca Popescu, a veteran of the theatres of war, has 18 years of military career and three missions in theatres of operations: "I stand before you as the first female battalion commander in the Romanian Army. But, beyond the uniform, I am also the mother of a seven-year-old girl, who I want to grow up in peace and quiet. Today, 20 years after accession, Romania is a safe country, a strong country, a respected country, a country where we can truly live in peace and tranquillity, and our role, that of the military, is to ensure that all these realities remain certainties for the future."

The event at the National Military Circle was also attended by defence ministers from NATO countries and chiefs of staff, and ambassadors, of the North Atlantic Alliance states.

Translated by Radu Matei

SOURCE: Radio România Actualități