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President Klaus Iohannis said Tuesday that the Battle of Marasti shows that nothing can stand in the way of achieving the important projects of the nation, adding that Romania sees the European design as the guarantor of a secure and peaceful future and its prosperity.
He added that the Battle of Marasti was the Romanian Army's first great victory in the war for the reunification of the Romanian nation that was achieved at by the sacrifice of Romanian troops commanded by Marshall Alexandru Averescu, as well as Generals Arthur Vaitoianu, Alexandru Margineanu and Nicolae Arghirescu.
"On behalf of the Romanian State, I have come here to show our gratitude and to honour the memory of these heroes. It is on their sacrifice that today's Romania, a united, dignified and respected nation, is supported. (...) This place was rebuilt from scratch after the Greater Union and it is an example of rebirth from the ashes of sacrifice. It is a symbol of the fact that nothing can stand in the way of achieving the important projects of the nation when the nation's energy is harnessed by the responsibility of the political class, especially when the sacrifices of each generation are not hijacked by demagoguery and populism," said Iohannis.
He added that WWI is a reminder the meaning of hatred and disunity and how important unity, solidarity and peace are to the European continent.
"The sincerest expression of gratitude for the legacy of our forerunners is our contribution, together, to the materialisation of a country project that will consolidate Romania as a European state where the law is the same for everyone, a fatherland for all its citizens, a tolerant and inclusive country," said Iohannis.
He added that Romania sees the European design as a guarantor of a secure and peaceful future, of its prosperity.
"I am calling on you to unite our effort to strengthen the design, which implicitly means the development and progress of our country overall and of each local community as well. Let us celebrate the Greater Union Centennial by a concrete commitment, not some for the show or in words only, to a united, prosperous, strong and educated Romania! Let us turn the battlefields of sacrifice from 100 years ago into places of achievements for the descendants of the heroes that we have celebrated today!" concluded Iohannis.
At Marasti, Iohannis was extended a traditional welcome, with bread and salt, by two children dressed in folklore costumes.
A military and religious ceremony followed. Iohannis laid a wreath at the Marasti Mausoleum and visited the local museum.
Also attending the event were Defence Minister, Adrian Tutuianu, head of Romania's General Defence Staff, Nicolae Ciuca, presidential advisers, Ion Oprisor, and Sergiu Nistor, local and county administration officials, parliamentarians and over 100 civilians.
