FAITH, FREEDOM AND FRIENDSHIP
Twenty Years of Strength, Solidarity and Loyalty in NATO
April 22, 2024
The Romanian American Business Council was invited on April 19, by the Romanian Ambassador to Washington, DC, Mr. Andrei Muraru to commemorate a weekend of celebration dedicated to the Twentieth Anniversary of Romania joining the North Atlantic Organization, NATO.
Under the theme auspices of Fate, Freedom and Friendship, a reception gala was held on Friday evening, at the National Press Club in the nation’s Capital. The event brought together a host of two-hundred, dignitaries, diplomats, politicians, and business leaders from all over the United States and Romania.
The keynote speaker at the dinner gala was none other than Mircea Geoana, NATO Deputy Secretary General, former ambassador, and ex foreign minister of Romania. The theme of his message was about remembering the three-decade long evolution and journey of his country, from a former Soviet ally to a formidable US partner, today the best NATO ally in the Southeastern flank of Europe.
Although not an announced candidate for the November presidential run in Romania, Mr. Geoana is clearly poised and positioned to lead the pack of contenders that will replace the current president, Mr. Klaus Iohannis. Mircea Geoana’s impressive background, achievements and political pedigree could easily eclipse the rest of the candidates, although he has yet to secure the quintessential backing of any political party in Romania.
On Saturday, a Special Anniversary Concert took place at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, home of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty 75 years ago, a significant symbol and tribute to the enduring strength of the alliance and the highlight of Romania’s contribution to the peace and security bestowed by NATO.
On Sunday, April 21, our RABC team, accompanied the NATO deputy secretary on a trip to Sfantul Apostol Andrei, a magnificent Romanian Orthodox Church, still under construction, in Potomac, Maryland. The congregation is led by the charismatic Parish Priest, Reverend Father Cosmin Antonescu, who presided over a truly inspiring sermon.
