The partnership between Romania and the United States must be deepened, safeguarded and projected into the future with ambition, as it is built on a lasting foundation of respect, admiration and shared goals that remains highly relevant today, Romanian President Nicusor Dan writes in an opinion piece for the American media company Newsmax, which is known for its conservative orientation.

'As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, it is worth pausing, not only within America, but beyond its borders, to reflect on what the country has meant to the world and what it continues to represent through the enduring strength of American leadership and President Donald J. Trump. This milestone is not simply a celebration of American history; it is a moment to recognize the deep and enduring bond, rooted in shared values, sacrifice, and strategic alignment, with countries such as my own, Romania, that stand for freedom and opportunity,' the Romanian president writes in the opinion article published on Wednesday.

He says that, 'Romanians, America has never been a distant power, but a strong ally committed to promoting peace and security and defending against our adversaries.'

The Romanian president believes that history provides the strongest foundation for deepening the Romanian-American partnership and recalls US support for the anti-communist struggle following the Second World War.

'Romanians understand acutely the importance of freedom - individual, political, and economic. The convergence with American values extends to core societal principles:
faith and family, the importance of secure borders, and the primacy of democracy and liberty,' Nicusor Dan writes.

He stresses that Romania remains a committed strategic partner of the United States 'at times that require both determination and resources'.

'Recently, Romania stepped forward to host U.S. military capabilities, including a substantial presence of C-130 transport aircraft, today exceeding that of any other European country,' the Romanian president says, recalling the deployment of Romanian troops alongside US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

'That commitment continues through increased defense spending and the procurement of advanced U.S. military systems,' Nicusor Dan adds, noting that the partnership between the two countries also extends into areas that will shape the future of both nations and the wider region.

'Romania plays a central role in advancing a strategic ecosystem in the Black Sea anchoring peace, stability and security in the region. To support this, we are actively working on facilitating a strengthened U.S. presence at Mihail Kogslniceanu Air Base, joint nuclear energy initiatives at Cernavoda, small modular reactor development with U.S. technology providers, and the proposed establishment of an artificial intelligence gigafactory in Dobrogea,' the Romanian president writes, listing Romanian-American initiatives at various stages of development.

Other initiatives mentioned by Nicusor Dan include 'the upgrade of the Port of Constanta into a more effective regional hub expected to also play a critical role in Ukraine's reconstruction, the joint development of critical mineral supply chains, and the advancement of the Vertical Gas Corridor and the Neptun Deep project to reduce European dependence on Russian gas'.

The Romanian president emphasises that, taken together, these efforts represent a comprehensive convergence of security, economic, technological and energy priorities.

'Within this broader context, one often underappreciated dimension deserves special note: American leadership commands deep respect among the Romanian people. Political differences within the United States notwithstanding, the American presidency continues to resonate in a powerful way globlally. In Romania, popular support for American leadership, specifically for President Trump, remains extremely strong, reflecting both historical affinity and a shared outlook on the challenges and priorities of today,' Nicusor Dan writes in his opinion article.

President Dan says Romanians will join their 'American friends and partners' in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and that July 4, 2026 'will be a moment of reflection, gratitude and reaffirmation'.

'At 250, America's story continues to unfold as great chapters are still lying ahead,' Nicusor Dan concludes. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Florin Stefan; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)