Special Parliament sitting devoted to NATO

Romania has marked two decades since its NATO accession

Bogdan Matei, 03.04.2024, 14:00

Marking 20 years since Romania joined NATO and 75 years since the creation of the Alliance, the Romanian Parliament convened in a joint sitting on Tuesday. Romanian MPs adopted a resolution highlighting Romania’s NATO membership as safeguarding citizens’ security, democracy and individual liberties. The resolution was passed with 247 votes in favor and 1 against. Senate Speaker Nicolae Ciucă, a retired general, said that in the 20 years since it joined NATO, Romania has become a key member of the Alliance.

“Romania is deeply transformed today. We have the strongest security guarantees in our country’s history. We are not just beneficiaries of NATO security, but one of the pillars for ensuring security on NATO’s eastern flank”.

In the last couple of decades, Romania proved to be a loyal and valuable NATO member, interim Chamber of Deputies Speaker Alfred Simonis said in turn.

“Romanian servicemen have been deployed to every battlefield that required their presence. Civilian institutions have supported Romania’s active and honorable activity at NATO level. Romania joined a community of values, which has had a transformational and positive impact on our society”.

From the opposition, USR leader Cătălin Drulă said Romania must fulfill its commitments at NATO level, particularly in terms of earmarking 2.5% of the GDP to defense spending.

“We can become a leader in Eastern and Central Europe, but for that we must build a modern Romania that values democracy and honors its promises to its allies”.

Romania’s obligations at NATO level were also mentioned by AUR deputy Mircea Chelaru, a retired general himself.

“This Alliance comes with benefits and obligations, which we ourselves enjoy and are committed to observe, namely loyalty, predictability and responsibility”.

Over 80% of Romanians believe NATO accession to be a good thing, and that Romania’s allies will defend the country in case of an attack, a survey conducted by the Romanian Institute for Analysis and Strategy reveals. Nearly a quarter of participants agree Romania should invest more to modernize its military. 60% of Romanians say the presence of NATO troops on Romania’s territory enhances the country’s security, given that some 40% of respondents expressed concern regarding Romania being possibly dragged in a military conflict over the next years. (VP)