On 1 December, the country marked the annual celebration of Romanian National Day (Ziua Națională a României). Also know as Unification Day or Great Union Day (Ziua Marii Uniri), this annual public holiday is celebrated every year to mark the unification of Transylvania, Bassarabia, and Bukovina, with the Romanian Kingdom in 1918.

At events over the weekend, HE Klaus Werner Iohannis presided over his last reception at Cotroceni Palace and Military Parade in his capacity as President of Romania. In his comprehensive speech, he analysed the key milestones of his two mandates, the progresses of the Romanian economy and society as well as the current instabilities and risks. He reiterated, his strong support for the Euro-Atlantic positions of Romania and the country vocation as a stronghold of NATO in the South Eastern flank.

Following the celebrations of National Day, the Ambassador of the Order of Malta to Romania, HE Roberto Musneci, reflected: “In this moment of uncertainty at regional and global level, reinforcing the values of unity that were the base of the political and religious authorities decision in Alba Iulia in 1918, should be an inspiration to Romanians to work for internal cohesion and reliance on international alliances.” With the Ambassador adding, “La mulți ani, România!”