Iohannis: In the century after Greater Union, Romania has proved economic, social, cultural viability

Romania has demonstrated its economic, social and cultural viability in the century after its Greater Union, President Klaus Iohannis says in a message to the participants in the international conference "Romania and the Historic Events of 1914-1920. Achieving the Greater Union and the Enlightenment of Romania," that opened on Tuesday at the Romanian Athenaeum. 

"In the century that we have lived after the Greater Union, Romania has demonstrated its economic, social and cultural viability, its ability to be the homeland of all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity and religion, and has proved its role as a pillar of stability in international affairs," says Iohannis in the message delivered by presidential adviser Sergiu Nistor. 

He says the centennial of the union should be a catalyst for the launch of unfinished or postponed projects, and also to work towards fulfilling our future hopes. 

"Today we are reminded of the ideals for which the generations have fought and sacrificed over the centuries. At the same time, we are engaged in the European debate on the future of the continent that has been shaken by the Great War. Between the understanding of the past and the commitments of the future, the celebration of the centennial must be a moment of taking up a positive project for a modern, educated European Romania, a strong Romania buttressed by social cohesion provided by its citizens' confidence in the country's ability to provide evidence for a prosperous future. I am glad to see that this is the commitment of the Romanian Academy as well, the fundamental body of our modernity, which has been in the service of the nation for more than 150 years." 

According to the head of the state, the conference "Romania and the Historic Events of 1914-1920. Achieving the Greater Union and the Enlightenment of Romania," adds to the contributions of the Romanian Academy to the international presentation of Romania as a valuable and relevant actor in science, culture and education. 

Attending the event, organised by the Romanian Academy, under the high patronage of the President of Romania, moderated by Vice President of the Romanian Academy Victor Voicu are world's illustrious historiographers specialising in the history of WWI and South East and Central Europe. Delivering speeches will be President of the Romanian Academy Ioan-Aurel Pop; Michael Metzeltin, a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and honourary member of the Romanian Academy; Jean-Paul Bled of the Sorbonne University of Paris; Francesco Guida of the Rome University; Hans-Christian Maner of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz; Dennis Deletant of the University of Georgetown, Washington; Paul E. Michelson, University of Huntington, Indiana; Josef Wolf of the Institute of History and Regional Geography of the Danube Swabians,Tubingen; Florian Kuhrer-Wielach of the Institute for German Culture and History in South-Eastern Europe, Munich. AGERPRES .