Initially published in www. romania-report.ro -- Oct 25, 2005
Bucharest , 25 of October, 2005 – Message of the Romanian President Traian Basescu on the occasion of National Army’s Day.
The Romanian Armed Forces’ Day offers me the pleasant occasion to give my warmest salute and special appreciation for your devotion and professionalism, - to you, the soldiers of all ranks and the civil specialists, men and women acting in the benefit of the country under the tricolour flag – in fulfilling your constitutional duties defending the motherland, being a guarantor of the Romanian peoples national security and freedom.
By all you are doing in units and commands, in training fields, in the theatres of operations, on the ground and on the water, fighting against terrorism or natural disasters or for the peaceful reconstruction of the regions ravaged by violent conflicts, you are creating today’s image of the Romanian Armed Forces. Now, we are a new and modern Armed Forces of a new democratic, stable and secure Romania, integrated within the European and the Euro-Atlantic community, able to honor her domestic and international responsibilities, able to actively participate –together with the allies and the partners- in promoting and defending the values we trust anywhere they are in danger. The day of October 25 will always be in our people’s memory due to its historical importance and its symbols. It is a very good occasion to remember and honor our forefathers’ heroism that 61 years ago made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefields for the liberation of the last part of Romanian territory from foreign occupation, those that in the 20th century bravely did their duty for their motherland. Now, today, - in this Day of celebration- we ought to honor the memory of our national heroes, to pay a special homage to the veterans and to express our deepest appreciation for the retired and reserve soldiers that faithfully and in honor served their Romanian homeland and people. For all of these, we can say that this day is not only a joy for the Romanian soldiers but a celebration of soul for all the Romanians.
Romania is nowadays on a decisive stage of her existence, a stage marked by profound transformations, strengthening of democracy, acceleration of progress and modernization, re-defining its European and international profile, mature assumption of responsibility for its destiny within the process of globalization. The firm promotion of the national interests and the security of the environment for guaranteeing the legitimate right to prosperity and security of the Romanian people are the major requirements the authorities of the Romanian state must answer by national effort and active cooperation with the allies and the partners. In the perspective of all these efforts, the Romanian Armed Forces have major responsibilities. They already gained a well deserved place among the armed forces characterized by high professionalism and ethics of the North Atlantic Alliance, as an active participant to the international democratic community by counter- acting the new risks and threats, and as a messenger of peace and reconstruction.
In this respect I wish to thank the Romanian soldiers that now are on duty far from home and their families. I wish them warm congratulations and I appreciate their courage and professionalism in the theatres of operations, the efforts they are making to help those who are affected by the tragedy of war in order to give them hope for a better future.
I am pleased to hear that in the deep process of restructure and modernization that the Romanian Armed Forces are concerned for their transformation in accordance with the new requirements of the national security, proving - with a smaller number of soldiers every year – more and more effective, flexible and mobile, able to participate in complex international missions alongside the prestigious allies for countering the new threats towards peace and security, especially terrorism and weapons of mass destruction .
In Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Romanian soldiers are efficiently and responsibly participating in missions promoting stability and peace, regional and international security, in missions of democratic, political, economic and social reconstruction of these regions. The firm, effective and responsible action within these missions is in the benefit not only of the communities in these areas but at the same time represents a guaranty of security for the Romanian people because the soldiers’ contribution is leading Romania to full European integration. Till now we had a difficult year, weather and other type of problems, representing important challenges towards security of people and local communities. To protect the population and to remove their effects the Romanian state authorities made and are still making important efforts. In this context, the Romanian Armed Forces said “present” and did their duty, contributing in saving human lives and in diminishing the effects of floods that affected a large number of counties. For all these and for everything you are doing every day, I wish all of you my warmest congratulations and wishes of success in your noble missions as defenders of the country.
Many Happy Returns on this Day!
PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA TRAIAN BASESCU
Romania Report; Source: Romanian MOD transcript
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