Romanian Navy Day: Show of strength in Black Sea region
Thousands of soldiers, warships, fighter jets, and helicopters paraded along the seashore in Constanța to celebrate Romanian Navy Day.
During the festivities, President Klaus Iohannis reiterated that Romania is recognized and appreciated by its allies as a solid pillar of regional security. Events dedicated to Romanian sailors also took place in Mangalia, Brăila, Galați, Tulcea, and Bucharest.
The official ceremony marking the 122nd anniversary of Romanian Navy Day was held on the promenade in front of Fleet Command.
During the coastal festivities, President Iohannis emphasised that despite these challenging times, Romania remains a safe and stable country.
"Even though we live in times marked by multiple security challenges, Romania is today a safe and stable country, firmly on the path of democratic development alongside its partners and allies in the EU and NATO. Today, our country benefits from the strongest security guarantees, and Romanian citizens are defended and protected against any potential threats," Iohannis stated.
President Iohannis also noted that the Black Sea region has gained recognition as a zone of strategic importance for Euro-Atlantic security. In his remarks, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr highlighted the essential role of the Naval Forces in the nation's security architecture.
"This year, in cooperation with Bulgaria and Turkey, we successfully operationalized the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Group. This achievement is significant for Black Sea security, with the primary goal of ensuring the safety of maritime traffic through surveillance, detection, and neutralisation of marine mines, as well as related search and rescue operations at sea. The transformation of the Black Sea from a zone of cooperation into one of conflict, due to the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation, has necessitated the rethinking and adaptation of our naval security posture."
The ceremony continued with a religious service. Following this, the God Neptune emerged from the sea to officially kick off the games and naval competitions. The event culminated in a joint demonstrative exercise, the largest naval spectacle of the year, eagerly awaited by the public. Over two thousand Romanian and allied military sailors participated, along with 15 maritime and river military ships, Coast Guard vessels, F-16 fighter jets, two patrol and reconnaissance planes (American and French), helicopters, and paratroopers.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
