On July 4 th President of Romania, Traian Basescu , attended the reception hosted by the Embassy of United States of America in Bucharest, to celebrate the 230th anniversary of "Independence Day" . Communication Department of the Presidential Administration:
PRESS RELEASE
( July 4th 2006 )
On July 4 th President of Romania, Traian Basescu , attended the reception hosted by the Embassy of United States of America in Bucharest, to celebrate the 230th anniversary of "Independence Day" .
On this occasion, the Romanian President stated that the event hosted by the Embassy of the United States, which has become an annual tradition, underlines the world's greatest democracy National Day celebration: “The 4th of July is not only an occasion to celebrate the democratic horizon, towards which we have all aspired for tens of years, but also an opportunity to meet with American friends, American politicians and politicians from other countries, all gathered here to celebrate the United State's Independence Day.”
President Traian Basescu also stated that this event is a right moment for taking stock of the Romanian-US relations: “Certainly, it is not only a social event. It is a moment when we all feel the need to gather together and to discuss about issues that matter to us. And today, I can say that there are so many things in the relationship with the United States that keep us connected. It is not only our parents' old wish but also the current realities.”
The Romanian head of state underlined that the partnership with the US manifested itself "in a pragmatic manner, not only in statements when we had to prove our shared beliefs ”. H e also added that, based on these relations, Romania engaged together with its US partner “in military operations, for the good cause of promoting democracy in those regions where American military, together with the multinational coalitions, were or are still present.”
Addressing the Romanian citizens, President Basescu said that Romania will respect its prior commitments : ” It was certainly very easy for us in 2003, when we commited to a real partnership with the United State and not only a declarative one. Respecting our commitments is, indeed, a hardship for us” “At the same time, Romania 's positive evolution does not only mean respecting international commitments. In order to be a strong country, we not only need to be providers of military troops or military capacities. Romania needs to be itself, strong within, with strong, flexible, and non-bureaucratic institutions, accountable to its citizens needs”, the head of state added.
President Basescu reminded that Romania needs a health system capable of responding to "all needs of the 22 millions Romanians", as well as a strong educational and research system that would succeed in foreseeing the future. As well, the President underlined the need for a strengthened agricultural sector and for people to reach an adequate standard of living which would feed prosperity expectations. “This is the United States ' partner, an ideal partner, the partner that we want to become”, he stated .
Beyond the strategic partnership with the United States and Great Britain, promoted as a strong axis of the Romanian foreign policy, Romania has also taken another path on its foreign policy, towards which it is fast approaching - the European Union integration: “ along with the national security anchor underlined by the NATO membership and the partnership with the US, the European Union is the following second “anchor” which for the Romanian people means prosperity”, the president underlined.
President Basescu expressed his thanks to the American corporations that chose to invest in Romania , highlighting the contribution of " Smithfield ", in food production and agricultural industry, and "Oracle" in the IT industry. “I would like to express my appreciation towards the effort undertaken by Oracle in order to keep the Romanian professionals here, in Romania . Oracle created in Romania the biggest centers for industrial software outside the United States . This means that US companies also consider investing in the Romanian youths' intellectual value.
In his conclusion, the President of Romania expressed his wishes of prosperity to the American people and reassurances of the friendship of the Romanian people. Also, President Basescu kindly asked US ambassador Taubman to send his personal congratulations and best wishes to US President George W. Bush.
Public Communication Department
Communication Department of the Presidential Administration
July 4th 2006