Tens of thousands of people have turned out in Romania’s capital to watch a military parade that included troops from Nato allies to mark the country’s national day.
The annual parade at the Arc de Triomphe in Bucharest brought together thousands of marching soldiers as dozens of combat jets and helicopters flew overhead. Many spectators waved Romanian tricolour flags of red, yellow and blue.
Friday’s ceremony celebrated the 105th anniversary of Great Union Day of 1918 when modern-day Romania was formed after its unification with the neighbouring regions of Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina.
In a reception held at Cotroceni Palace after the parade, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis described the day as a holiday “that brings Romanians together, no matter where we are, reconnecting us to the spirit of our national unity”.
“We remember the culture and traditions that define us,” he said. “And, above all, the great crossroads of our history, when only through solidarity and unity were we able to resolutely overcome difficulties that seemed insurmountable.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Romania has played an increasingly prominent role in the alliance — which it joined in 2004 — including hosting a Nato meeting of foreign ministers in November 2022.
In December, Romania inaugurated an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from Nato countries and other partners, including war-torn Ukraine.
