Romania and the Republic of Moldova celebrated Europe Day
On May 9, Bucharest and Chișinău celebrated peace and unity in Europe.
Daniela Budu, 10.05.2024, 14:00
On May 9, Romania celebrated, along with the other European states, Europe Day, dedicated to peace and unity on the continent. This date also has a special historical significance for Romanians, as it marks State Independence Day. In the message conveyed on Europe Day, President Klaus Iohannis said that Europeans want to live in free societies, with a functional rule of law, where rights and freedoms are respected. According to him, “the current challenges show us all the more clearly that we have a responsibility towards people to maintain peace on the continent, and the surest solution is to strengthen the European construction and strengthen the unity between our nations”. In turn, the Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu recalled that, after joining the EU, Romania benefited from over 64 billion Euros from European funds, money it received in addition to the total amount it contributed to the EU budget. In an intervention on Radio Romania, Iulia Matei, ambassador and permanent representative of Romania to the EU, pointed out that unity is the key to a strong Europe.
Iulia Matei: “If we look back a little, and especially in recent years, we can see that together we have achieved a series of results that we probably would have considered much more difficult to achieve, but also impossible. And here I am primarily thinking of the fact that the EU has become a stronger geopolitical actor. We proved that we are a reliable partner for Ukraine, in the context of the current Russian aggression, and we also made these essential historical decisions related to the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.”
The Arch of Triumph in Bucharest was illuminated in blue on the evening of May 9, to mark Europe Day, and the EU Flag was projected on the facade of the Palace of Parliament. In the big cities, Europe Day was celebrated with military parades and artistic events. Both Europe Day and Victory Day were celebrated in Chişinău as well. President Maia Sandu, members of the government and Parliament laid flowers at the Eternitate Memorial, to commemorate those who fell in the Second World War. A special ceremony was also held in the square in the center of Chişinău, in the presence of the president and the European commissioner for budget and administration, Johannes Hahn, who is visiting the Republic of Moldova. May 9, 1945 was the first day of peace in Europe after the Second World War, about which no one can speak triumphantly, especially since we are witnessing a new war in Europe, said Maia Sandu in her speech from the Great National Assembly Square. She emphasized the benefits that integration into the EU will bring, one of the biggest guarantees being peace and national security.
Maia Sandu: “We don’t want to go somewhere, we want to stay at home and let the European Union be at home. Happy anniversary, European Union! Happy anniversary, European Moldova!”
Europe Day is the day when we honor all those who value and defend the European Union, peace, stability and prosperity on our continent, including the citizens of the Republic of Moldova”, said, in turn, the European Commissioner Johannes Hahn. (LS)
