In his remarks delivered at the 2019 Independence Day Reception in Bucharest on Thursday evening, the U.S. Ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm said that the U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership is strong, while also congratulating Romania for a successful mandate at the helm of the EU Council.
“America recognizes Romania as a model NATO Ally that is meeting, or exceeding, its pledges to the Alliance by investing in its defense, modernizing its capabilities, and contributing to regional and global security. The commitment of the Romanian people to democracy, the rule of law and the fight against corruption, demonstrated so clearly in the May elections, inspires us. And Romania’s strong economic performance has made it a magnet for American investment. Mr. President, as you discussed with President Trump in the White House two years ago, we now hope to expand our ties in strategic fields such as energy and defence.
America congratulates Romania on a successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union, completed just four days ago. On behalf of my colleagues also in Washington and Brussels, we thank the Romanian Presidency under the leadership of President Iohannis and the Romanian Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dancila, for the close and effective cooperation we enjoyed on so many issues of mutual concern,” the American ambassador stated.
He further pointed out that three anniversaries are commemorated and celebrated on July 4.
“First, we mark America’s Independence, declared exactly 243 years ago today.
Second, thirty years ago we witnessed the collapse of communism and the fall of the Iron Curtain across much of Central and Eastern Europe. In late June of 1989, Hungary and Austria cut the barbed wire fence that had separated their countries. In November, jubilant Germans brought down the Berlin Wall. Six weeks later, demonstrations quickly spread across Romania, culminating in the collapse of the Ceauşescu regime. Soon after, we welcomed Romania into the family of democracies and in the transatlantic community.
Third, we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of landing a man on the moon. In a speech to the U.S. Congress in 1961, President John F. Kennedy called America to “move forward, with the full speed of freedom, in the exciting adventure of space.” The race to the moon that followed, and Neil Armstrong’s first steps there, captured the world’s imagination and demonstrated the stunning possibilities of American technology.”
Ambassador introduced two special guests, two space travellers, Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu and Anna Fisher, NASA’s first female astronaut.
“In 1981, Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu became the 103rd human and the first Romanian to travel into space when he completed an eight-day mission aboard the Soyuz 40 spacecraft and the Salyut 6 space laboratory.
In 1978, Dr. Anna Fisher became one of NASA’s first female astronauts. A chemist and doctor of emergency medicine, Dr. Fisher made many contributions to NASA’s space program, developing the “robotic arm” used on the space shuttle and designing spacesuits tailored for women. In November 1984, she became the first mother in space, redefining what it means to be a working mom. Dr. Fisher, Mr. Prunariu, welcome and thank you for joining us.”
The U.S. ambassador further praised Romanian innovation by mentioning the Light Infrastructure Nuclear Physics project in Magurele, but also referred the Romania heroes who died in Romania during the 1989 anti-communist Revolution.
“We are proud also to highlight Romanian innovation, including a combined exhibit from the National History Museum and the Romanian Space Agency, and displays from the National Institute for Aerospace Research and the Extreme Light Infrastructure Nuclear Physics project in Magurele. And we have here tonight four teams of Romanian high school students who competed in this year’s World Robotics Championship in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan.”
“In conclusion, let us commemorate the heroism of the Romanian patriots who died for liberty on the streets of Timişoara, Bucharest, and in cities across Romania, reminding us that the yearning for freedom beats strong in the hearts of all women and men.
Let us celebrate the audacity of the Apollo space program, and the walk of a man on the moon, reminding us that nothing is beyond the reach of our imagination when we direct our capacity for innovation to the benefit of humanity.
And let us honor the courage of the American Founding Fathers, who remind us that we are all created equal, and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Happy independence Day, America!”
President Iohannis: Overwhelming vote in support of rule of law
Romanians have voiced in favour of the rule of law at the referendum on justice and have rejected “populism and the anti-European and anti-justice rhetoric”, said President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday at a 4th of July reception at the United States Embassy on the 243rd anniversary of the US Independence Day. Iohannis also stated that Romania’s strategic priority is and will remain a strong transatlantic relationship.
“At the European elections and the referendum on justice on May 26, the Romanians have cast an overwhelming pro-European vote, to enforce the rule of law, by rejecting populism, anti-European and anti-justice rhetoric. The Romanian citizens have once again proved that we have a mature society and that they want a strong and healthy country with a clean and independent justice system in full compliance with the status of US partner and EU and NATO member state. Romania’s strategic priority is and will remain a strong transatlantic relationship. Solid transatlantic co-operation is the safest guarantee that we will be able to successfully manage future challenges, while positively influencing developments globally (…). You will always find in Romania a trustworthy ally and friend, a strong voice in favor of close partnership between America and Europe. I can assure that both my country and I remain determined to further develop and deepen our strategic partnership with the US,” said Iohannis.
PM Viorica Dancila, SRI director Eduard Hellvig, PSD new leaders Eugen Teodorovici and Mihai Fifor, ministers, senators and deputies have also attended the U.S Independence Day reception, likewise the former Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar and former anti-corruption chief prosecutor Laura Codruţa Kovesi.