President Klaus Iohannis in Rome: Social peace in Romania is being rebuilt

President Klaus Iohannis stated on Sunday evening in Rome that Romania's social peace is being rebuilt. 

"I believe that social peace in Romania is being rebuilt. And we need such symbols in order to rebuild social peace in Romania and we will," Iohannis stated on Sunday evening in Rome, where he attended the lighting of Trajan's Column in the colors of the Romanian national flag. 

Furthermore, the head of state said that he finds this event very emotional and full of significance. 

"I find it both an emotional and full of significance moment. Trajan's Column (...) is believed to be the birth certificate of our people and lighted up in the tricolour colors, I think it's also important for the relationship between our peoples, it gives it a special charm, but also shows us where our history is and I hope it will show us where our future is," Iohannis mentioned. 

Moreover, the President said he is very glad to be participating in this event. 

"It is a very beautiful moment. I thank the organisers. (...) I am truly excited and very pleased that we can live this moment. It's sensational - Trajan's Column [lighted] in the tricolour. I believe that there isn't a deeper, more beautiful symbol for the tie between our nations. (...) It's excited that so many people came, very, very many Romanians," Iohannis showed. 

Upon arriving at Trajan's Column, President Klaus Iohannis and his wife Carmen were expected by local authorities and several hundred people, including a group of children of the Romanian community in Italy. People applauded Iohannis, called out his name and chanted "United we save all Romania." 

Afterwards, Trajan's Column was lighted up in the colors of the Romanian national flag, moment when the people attending the event started to sing Romania's national anthem. 

Furthermore, the President and his wife talked with the children, were taken photos with them and thanked those who attended the event. 

The presidential couple also participated in a performance organised within the event. 

Upon leaving, Iohannis and his wife continued to talk to the people and take photos with them. 

Several people continued to call out Iohannis's name, applauded and chanted "Long live Greater Romania!," "Long live Sibiu!," "United we save all Romania!," "Romania wake up!," "PSD (the Social Democratic Party), the Red Plague" and "We want home, the thieves do not let us!." 

The event took place within the state visit that President Klaus Iohannis is paying to the Italian Republic, 14-17 October. 

Klaus Iohannis's visit to Italy takes place in the context of celebrating the Greater Union Centennial and the 10th anniversary since upgrading the bilateral relationship between Romania and Italy at the level of enhanced strategic partnership. 

According to the Presidential Administration, this is the first state visit of a head of state in the last 45 years to Italy. 

On Monday, official talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella are scheduled to take place on topics related to the enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries and European, international and security co-operation. 

The agenda also includes official meetings with head of Italy's Council of Ministers Giuseppe Conte, Senate Chair Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico.