Iohannis received the Distinguished International Leadership award

In Central and Eastern Europe, Romania represents an example in many fields – from the defense of NATO’s Eastern Flank, to the consolidation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday evening in Washington D.C. upon receiving the Distinguished International Leadership award.

The Romanian president emphasized that he accepts the respective award “as a recognition of Romania’s leadership, in the last 20 years, as a worthy member of NATO and a partner and friend of the USA”.

“Starting in 2001, a few years before joining NATO, and then throughout the two decades of membership, Romania and the Romanian people took bold, courageous and determined decisions to strengthen the democratic fabric of our society, to live up to our transatlantic security commitments and to transform our country into an anchor of strategic stability, prosperity and progress in a still troubled region of Europe,” he pointed out.

Klaus Iohannis also stated that most of the allied countries on the Eastern Flank “started to make progress in increasing Defense budgets and in modernizing military infrastructure and equipment”.

He referred to Russia’s war against Ukraine and how the NATO states in the region reacted. “Our countries have had the ability to act unitedly, decisively, and act as a strong deterrent against Russian expansionism, while remaining true to our core transatlantic democratic values. There is no stronger proof of this than the way our states from the Eastern Flank responded to Russia’s unjustified aggression against Ukraine and to Ukraine’s vital needs to defend itself and repel this horrible Russian attack,” Klaus Iohannis said.

He claimed that Romania “was really in the front line through its efforts to help Ukraine”.

President Iohannis recalled that more than 7.5 million Ukrainians crossed the border into Romania seeking refuge, safety and free passage. “Nearly 40,000 children are now learning in Romanian classrooms. Millions of tonnes of humanitarian aid have flowed into Ukraine through and from Romania. Romania has also helped Ukraine maintain a vital economic lifeline, capitalizing on our unique maritime connections and facilitating the transit of approximately 40 million tons of grain – approximately 70% of Ukrainian grain exports, through the Romanian ports on the Danube and the Black Sea,” the Romanian president said.

Iohannis added that all these efforts “continue as long as necessary”, because Romania is aware of the “key role” it has in helping Ukraine to achieve victory and peace, “to succeed economically and integrate into European union”.

Klaus Iohannis also conveyed, in his speech, the message that Romania approached the call seriously – “what America can do together with Central Europe”. “We are working together to strengthen our collective security, to promote freedom and economic progress, and to ensure that democracy continues to deliver. It is our shared responsibility, and you can count on our ability to fulfill it. Because the United States does not have a better ally than Romania. I dedicate this award to all Romanians, as well as to the partnership and friendship between Romania and the United States of America,” added the president.