President Nicusor Dan released a recording of a conversation between the Romanian pilot of the Spartan aircraft and a Zurich air traffic controller, arguing that accusations of "lying" over a symbolic gesture of respect by another state represent an attack on Romania's image and credibility.
The president's reaction comes after journalist Patrick Andre de Hillerin published a reply signed by the Swiss army's spokesperson, Mathias Volken, stating that the flight of the two F-18 Hornet jets in the vicinity of the Spartan aircraft carrying the Romanian head of state was a routine mission of the Swiss Air Force, "one of the more than 200 such missions it carries out on average each year".
Nicusor Dan posted the recording late on Thursday night, in which the Swiss side can be heard expressing thanks for Romania's support in the case of the fire in Crans-Montana.
"You can listen to the recording of the conversation between the Romanian pilot of the Spartan aircraft and the air traffic controller in Zurich, in which the decision to escort the Romanian aircraft is communicated.
This gesture represented a sign of gratitude for the support provided by the Romanian state in the international transport of the victims of the Crans-Montana fire.
The level of disinformation reached by part of the Romanian press is unacceptable.
I have always respected and will continue to respect honest journalism, even when it has criticised me.
However, accusing the President of Romania of lying in connection with a symbolic gesture of respect by another state represents an attack on the image and credibility of our country," the president wrote on Facebook.
On Wednesday, after returning home from Paris, President Nicusor Dan announced that during the flight over Swiss airspace, the aircraft he was on was escorted by two F-18 jets, "a gesture of appreciation for the support provided in the international transport of the victims of the Crans-Montana fire".
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