Romanian Army Day

On October 25, Romanian Army Day was celebrated in the country and abroad

Corina Cristea, 26.10.2023, 14:00

The Romanian Army Day was celebrated on October 25
with various military and religious ceremonies organised in the main military
units in the country, as well as in the theatres of operations where Romanian
troops are deployed.

These are times when global peace and the security climate
are threatened by regional conflicts able to escalate, and in this context the
role of the Romanian Army in ensuring national and regional security is all the
more important, the country’s top officials emphasised on this occasion.

In his address, the president of Romania highlighted
that Europe was facing the worst crisis since WWII as a result of the Russian
Federation’s invasion of Ukraine and of the October 7 terrorist attack against
Israel, which threatens to fully destabilise the Middle East in the long run.

Klaus Iohannis: The Romanian troops, as well as the
Allies deployed to Romania, whom I also thank on this occasion, are key
elements in maintaining the NATO deterrence and defence posture at the Black
Sea, a region of strategic importance for the Euro-Atlantic zone.

The worsening of the regional security situation was
also mentioned by PM Marcel Ciolacu. It is one more reason to have an army able
to handle the new challenges, Marcel Ciolacu said:

Marcel Ciolacu: Discouraging and fighting efficiently
the various types of threats we are facing can only be achieved with massive
investment in equipment as well. This is why as of this year we have earmarked 2.5%
of GDP to the defence sector.

A professional soldier, with experience in the theatres
of operations where Romania is present together with its allies, the former PM
Nicolae Ciucă, currently the speaker of the Senate, mentioned that the Romanian
Army is a respected institution in the country and an appreciated one abroad:

Nicolae Ciucă: While it may sound paradoxical, our
troops are the ones with the highest respect for peace, and are prepared to
safeguard it at the cost of their own lives. The Romanian Army as we know it
today enjoys a good standing among the NATO and EU members.

In his turn, the defence minister Angel Tîlvăr
mentioned that the Army is already up to NATO standards in many respects, while
the deputy secretary general of the North-Atlantic Alliance Mircea Geoană sent
a message highlighting that the borders of the Romanian state are safer than
ever, in spite of the war near it and the multiple current crises. The NATO official
also mentioned that the importance of this day for the entire nation has to do
with the patriotism and sacrifice of the Romanian soldiers, past and present.

The events held in the capital city on Army Day were
concluded with a traditional torch parade, a symbolic ceremony signifying the
Romanian troops’ loyalty and sacrifice for the motherland. (AMP)