What Jacques Chirac meant for Romania

Former President of France Jacques Chirac, who passed on Thursday morning at the age of 86, will remain in history like one of the world leaders, having had the longest political careers in Europe. For Romania, though, Jacques Chirac will certainly be remembered as the country’s great supporter for becoming a member of NATO and, later on, of the European Union.

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis has said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of former French President Jacques Chirac, whom he called a genuine leader and Head of State, and a true friend of Romania.

On February 21, 1997, Jacques Chirac paid an official visit to Bucharest where, in a speech addressed to the Parliament, he strongly affirmed France’s support for Romania’s accession to NATO.

"In this crucial period, France is with you, it supports your European ideal and encourages your desire for reform. I want Romania to join us in the Atlantic Alliance as soon as possible!", President Jacques Chirac said in Bucharest at that time, and would support this point of view over the next following months, at the NATO Summit in Madrid.

Romania did not enter NATO at that exact point, because many reforms were still to be made in a country that had come out of totalitarianism for only eight years. Romania was welcomed into the Alliance seven years later, at which time Romania’s great friend, Jacques Chirac, enjoyed this moment alongside his Romanian friends.

"Your courageous efforts will show their fruit tomorrow. Romania will join NATO. I wish this very much", said at the time former President of France, Jacques Chirac.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei