Democrat Joe
Biden has taken office as the new US president. Political leaders all over the
world have conveyed their congratulations to the new American President. In a
post on Twitter, President Klaus Iohannis expressed confidence Bucharest and
Washington will continue to develop their Strategic Partnership, to the benefit
of the two nations, and work together in the spirit of genuine trans-Atlantic
ties. The United States is a model for Romania, and the fundamental American
values, such as freedom, the rule of law and democracy, are ours as well,
Deputy Prime Minister Dan Barna, the leader of the Save Romania Union, said in
turn. The leader of the Social Democratic Party, Marcel Ciolacu, also hailed
the swearing-in of the new US President, saying he wants the Strategic
Partnership between the two states to be expanded to the benefit of both sides.
Reactions of optimism and relief were expressed the world over after Joe Biden
took office.
The United States is back. And Europe stands ready. To reconnect
with an old and trusted partner, to breathe new life into our cherished
alliance. I look forward to working together with Joe Biden, European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen twitted on Wednesday. A united
America, involved in NATO, Europe and in the world, is a guarantee of our
shared peace, democracy, security and prosperity, the NATO Deputy Secretary
General, Mircea Geoană, also posted on Facebook.
This is America’s day. Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but
of a cause. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and
resolve.The will of the people
has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again
that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends,
democracy has prevailed, Joe Biden said in his first speech as President. We
will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet
yesterday’s challenges but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.And we’ll lead not merely by the example
of our power, but by the power of our example, Joe Biden went on to say.
On
his very first day in office, the new White House leader insisted on making
good on some of the promises made in the election campaign, by cancelling some
of the most controversial policies of his predecessor, Donald Trump. Among
other things, he signed an executive order under which the United States
returns to the Paris climate accord, and decided for his country to rejoin the
World Health Organization. President Biden also ended Trump’s travel ban on citizens
of several Muslim countries. A number of 17 executive orders were signed on the
first day, including one that ends construction works on the wall on the
Mexican border, which was one of the centerpieces of Trump’s mandate as
president. (V. Palcu)