Romanians on both sides of the Prut River share a community of language, culture and history, President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday in a message sent in the context of the celebration of the Romanian Language Day.

In fact, the head of state is on this occasion in the Republic of Moldova, at the invitation of his counterpart in Chisinau, Maia Sandu.

"The Romanian language is the official language in the Republic of Moldova as of last year, since President Maia Sandu promulgated the law replacing the phrase 'Moldovan language' with 'Romanian language'. This was an essential step towards restoring the scientific truth that Romanians on both sides of the Prut River share a community of language, culture and history. Our future is undoubtedly a common one, in the European Union," president Iohannnis said.

He pointed out that the Romanian Language Day is an opportunity to celebrate the profound values it conveys and the unity it creates among its speakers.

"The Romanian language is not just a simple lexicon, but a means of transmitting cultural heritage and a priceless legacy that we leave to future generations to cherish and enrich. However far we may be from our homelands, the Romanian language binds us beyond time and meridians and defines us as a people, shaping our cultural and national identity," Iohannis said.

The head of state emphasized the importance of education in the mother tongue and supporting the efforts of those who teach and study Romanian in the country and abroad.

"The Romanian state has numerous initiatives to promote Romanian language and literature education in all corners of the world and, in particular, wherever there are significant Romanian communities. The Romanian language is studied in 59 universities in 37 countries worldwide. From Canada to Indonesia, from Finland to Morocco, more than 130 lecturers and university professors teach our language to foreign nationals," emphasized the president.

He pointed out that every year, through the Romanian Language, Culture and Civilization Course offered by the Romanian Language Institute, approximately 11,000 Romanian children living abroad, in eight countries where there are significant Romanian communities, discover and deepen their knowledge of the Romanian language.

Moreover, added Klaus Iohannis, in the last ten years, Romanian language lectures and the Romanian Language, Culture and Civilization Course have been extended all over the world, proof of the authorities' constant involvement and cooperation to protect Romanian identity abroad.

"Let us all show our respect for the Romanian language, starting with the simple but significant gesture of speaking and writing correctly and continuing with the broader projects and programs implemented both in the country and beyond its borders, which promote knowledge and highlight the richness and beauty of the language through which we pass on Romania's cultural and linguistic treasures," Klaus Iohannis conveyed.AGERPRES(RO - author: Oana Ghita; EN - editor: Simona Iacob)