US-Romania partnership celebrated along with Independence Day

Thursday, July 2, the US Embassy hosted a reception to celebrate Independence Day of the United States of America. Within the reception, both Dean Thompson, US embassy charge d’affaires and President Klaus Iohannis called for a celebration of the long withstanding relationship between the two states.

”We have a great deal to celebrate this year – 135 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania, 70 years since the end of World War II and 150 years since the end of the American Civil War,” Dean Thompson stated.

“I’m proud to represent the United States in front of a partner and ally that is showing its own strength of character in overcoming the difficult legacy of communism and building institutions to ensure that the Euro-Atlantic values of democracy, freedom and rule of law can thrive. A partner dealing directly and forthrightly with problems like corruption, organized crime, cybercrime, global terrorism, human trafficking and drug smuggling. A partner determined to provide the resources required for our common security and defence,” he added.

The US embassy representative went on to say that Romania’s military is “the envy of many in the region” and that our country is a trusted partner in fighting global terror and organised crime. He went on to commend Romania’s efforts to battle corruption, strengthen its economy through “exciting entrepreneurial efforts” and develop a strong and fair civil society, “willing to celebrate the concept of a multi-ethnic Romania, diverse peoples bound by common heritage”.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis started by underlining the difficult international context we are in at the moment.

“Very near to us, international law norms have been breached. Fundamental rights and freedoms have been jeopardized, and new security threats occurred. We need more than ever to show solidarity and be united in defending our shared values. The rule of law, the separation of powers, the guarantee of the fundamental rights and freedoms, the correct representation of citizens’ interests by politicians represent true pillars of nations with strong democracies. No effort is too great to promote these principles,” President Iohannis said.

“There are in the history of mankind some documents that marked its evolutions; there are declarations that did more than sanction actual conditions; that shaped the future by the force of worlds; set in motion nations and inspired whole generations. The U.S. Declaration of Independence is such a document, a milestone through centuries for all of us who strongly believe individuals are born equal, with inalienable rights like the right to life, to freedom and to pursue happiness. A nation built on these beliefs is a nation that makes its mission to defend freedoms and democracy,” he added, concluding how valuable our partnership is and extending warmest wishes from the Romanian people to the Americans.