Radio România Internațional

Tag: port of Constanta

  • Navy Day and the Black Sea region

    Navy Day and the Black Sea region

    For the first
    time, the Romanian Navy Day was this year celebrated in several port cities, as
    well as in Bucharest. A grand naval show was held in Constanta, the largest
    port on the Romanian Black Seacoast. Attending the show, President Klaus
    Iohannis congratulated the sailors and said Romania cannot be a truly important
    player in the region without a powerful army, which should include a
    well-equipped and well-trained navy, capable of withstanding any challenge. We
    are witnessing the buildup of a new geostrategic context, whose evolution is
    hard to anticipate, the president went on to say. Klaus Iohannis said that Romania
    continues to be a source of stability and a regional provider of security. This
    status comes with genuine benefits, Klaus Iohannis said.


    It is key that our country should have the capacity and wisdom to use
    our strengths in order to consolidate our role within NATO and our status as a
    reliable strategic partner of the United States of America.


    The president
    also argued in favor of strengthening international cooperation, as an
    alternative to consolidating global peace and security. Klaus Iohannis believes
    that focusing on the economic dimension of international cooperation could
    bring real benefits to countries in Southeastern Europe, as well as to other
    interested parties. The Black Sea region continues to represent an important
    bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, with the possibility
    of capitalizing on the Danube as a natural transit corridor between Central
    Europe, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. Without minimizing military
    cooperation and the geostrategic security of the region, foreign policy analyst
    Stefan Popescu told Radio Romania that our country stands a good chance of
    becoming an important regional player. Stefan Popescu:


    To have a functional Black Sea policy, we must focus on the port of Constanta,
    the largest on the Black Sea. We must focus on our civilian fleet, which is
    quite deficient. To become a truly regional player, Romania must develop a
    Black Sea policy, which I believe is something we have failed to recognize. A
    state is robust not just by means of its military, but through a sound and
    powerful society, a robust economy, good exports and a culture that appeals to
    the entire region.


    At military
    level, Defense Minister Mihai Fifor announced, on the sidelines of the events
    in Constanta, that the Government next week will vote the go-ahead for the
    purchase of the mobile anti-ship missile system, a type of coastal artillery
    that will enhance Romania’s naval security.



    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • Navy Day and Modernizing the Military

    Navy Day and Modernizing the Military

    The Romanian Navy Day was celebrated in ports on the Romanian Black Seacoast and in cities across the country. The main event was staged in the port of Constanta, where 10,000 people witnessed a spectacular navy show, with 30 warships and vessels, 12 aircraft and over 3,000 military parading. Attending the festivities President Klaus Iohannis was impressed with the high number of people coming to celebrate Navy Day every year, saying that such moments show just how strong the symbols uniting us are.



    The president hoped the centenary of the Great Unification to be celebrated next year would stir a matching public interest. On the other hand, the president insisted on the country having a modern army, capable of dealing with current challenges. Klaus Iohannis went on to say that the political agreement on allotting 2% of GDP to defense spending, as well as adopting the national plan on modernizing the army, are sending a clear message of responsibility to our foreign partners. Klaus Iohannis:



    “We are showing our partners that Romania is a reliable, predictable state, ready to contribute to ensuring collective defense, together with its allies. Observing this commitment on the long term will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art military technology for our army. Additionally, consolidating maritime security and defense remains at the core of our interests”.



    Attending the event in Constanta was also Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu, who said that the latest developments in the Black Sea concern not only the region itself, but also the broader Euro-Atlantic security. Adrian Tutuianu:



    “As part of the Black Sea Region, Romania wants and continues to be a pillar of stability, democracy and security. It is our duty to combine our efforts and display wisdom, strength and political ability to make Romania a powerful regional player”.



    Navy Day was first introduced in our country’s official calendar 115 years ago, when a religious service was first held onboard the Elisabeta warship in the port of Constanta. Also on August 15 the Christian community in Romania celebrated the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, seen as the patron saint of sailors. Special services were held on this occasion in monasteries and churches across the country. (Translated by V. Palcu)