President Nicusor Dan said on Saturday, in a message delivered on the occasion of the National Day of Religious Freedom and the Contribution of Religious Denominations to Romanian Society, that his appeal on this occasion is for religious values not to be used as pretexts for artificial divisions or sterile confrontations, and for religious extremism to be denounced.

'The establishment of a National Day of Religious Freedom and the contribution of Religious Denominations to Romanian society is intended to highlight the contribution of all religious denominations in Romania to the development of society, to ensuring balance and cohesion, and to fostering solidarity and resilience through the values specific to the great religious traditions that coexist harmoniously in our country. For generations, the religious denominations in Romania have mobilised the energy, aspirations, vision and capacity for action of the whole of society towards objectives important for the country, strengthening our European and transatlantic path. In the contemporary world, marked by rapid and profound changes that influence the way we relate to one another, communicate and imagine the future, the principles promoted by the great religious traditions acquire a strong social dimension, becoming pillars of balance, offering spiritual and ethical reference points, and guiding us towards reconciliation and trust,' the head of state highlighted in the message transmitted by the Presidential Administration.

He also pointed out that the founding spirit of the European community was based in part on the transformation of religious values into political and civic values.

'The resurgence of extremism and the proliferation of conflicts urge us today to reflect and act in the founding spirit of the European community, founded on the transformation of religious values into political and civic values: freedom, truth, solidarity, pluralism, diversity and respect. All the more so, on the occasion of this Day, we have a duty to denounce religious extremism, to oppose the instrumentalisation of religion and its transformation into a means of manipulation, incitement to violence and hatred, or stigmatisation,' President Nicusor Dan stressed.

He also stated that 'the exercise of religious freedom is fundamental'.

'In a mature society, aware of its responsibility towards people and the common good, the exercise of religious freedom is fundamental. That is why my appeal is not to use religious values as pretexts for artificial divisions or sterile confrontations, but rather to embrace them as a source of balance, knowledge and mutual understanding. I encourage the religious denominations and communities of believers in Romania to continue investing in constructive dialogue, to continue supporting European and democratic values, and to pursue new avenues of cooperation for the benefit of society as a whole,' the head of state added.

Saturday marks the first celebration of the National Day of Religious Freedom and the Contribution of Religious Denominations to Romanian Society.

The observance was established in 2025 following a proposal by Romania's religious denominations during a meeting held on April 10, 2024 with representatives of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs and other state institutions.

The date of May 16 was chosen because on this day in 2000 all officially recognised religious denominations signed, in Snagov, a joint declaration supporting Romania's accession to the European Union. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marius Fratila; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)