Romanian Chief of Defense awarded highest distinction in France

Romanian Chief of Defense, General Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă, has been awarded the National Order of Merit – Commander rank, by Mrs. Michèle Ramis, Ambassador of France to Romania, at a ceremony held on Tuesday, July 16, at the French Embassy in Bucharest.

"While European defense has known new directions of development over the past two years, you have also been an important actor in the commitment of Romania's armed forces in these new areas, as well as in transforming NATO in order to face the new challenges. This Decoration stands for recognition of the merits of a visionary and ambitious leader for his country's army, also a true friend of France", Ambassador Ramis said, as states a Wednesday press release from the French Embassy in Romania, .

General Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă: "This distinction, granted to me by the President of the French Republic, His Excellency Emmanuel MACRON, on March 11, 2019, represents - for me personally and for the Romanian Army - a great honor and a very strong symbol of recognition for the contribution the Romanian Armed Forces have had to strengthening the bilateral relations between our countries. It is a proof that our efforts to develop and strengthen military relations have been and are valued, so that we enjoy mutual trust and support in an unpredictable and demanding security environment. I am therefore optimistic and glad that we can reaffirm the friendship between our states and our armies, and I am convinced that we will continue in the spirit of these relations, both bilaterally and in allied form".

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei