October 25, 1944, the Romanian Army Day, signifies the date of the complete liberation of north-western Transylvania from foreign rule and administration
Romania celebrates each year, on October 25, the Day of the Romanian Army
The liberation of the entire national territory of Romania was achieved by the heroic fights of over 525,000 fully employed troops between August 23 and October 25, 1944. Nearly 58,000 of them were killed or injured. Losses incurred on the enemy stood at 89,934 troops, 76,275 of whom were taken prisoners.
The liberation of north-western Romania did not mean an end to the fights of the Romanian Army, which continued in the war against Fascism alongside the United Nations powers for the liberation of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Austria throughout the final victory.
Romania’s Army takes part today with more than 450 servicemen in various international humanitarian missions or in missions meant to combat terrorism or to support peace, including 36 personnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of EUFOR – Althea Operation. From 1991 to 2014, more than 8,400 Romanian troops were deployed in the Balkans theatre of operations and about 1,000 Romanian troops were deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Romania’s participation in EUFOR mirrors the continuity of the Romanian Army’s efforts aimed at reconstruction, security, and stability in the Balkans and the support granted to the European Union’s wider involvement in the region. The Romanian military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of a wider Romanian participation in the European security and defense policy, both as EU and NATO members.
At the level of the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, the main effort is to provide for the technical status of the military equipment deployed in the theatres of operations and the logistical support of the Romanian contingents contributing to NATO, EU-led missions, and multinational coalitions.
Today, as a sign of homage and respect, the Romanian Embassy to BIH, together with the Military Attache of Romania to BIH, laid a wreath at the place of a Romanian soldier who died on duty in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1996.
Romanian Armed Forces Day – foreign missions
There were 23 years this February since the Romanian Armed Forces were assigned to foreign missions, contributing alongside the allied and partner countries to the common effort of keeping peace and stability worldwide. In compliance with the commitments deriving from the international treaties, agreements, and memoranda whose signing party is, Romania had contingents of different sizes from all services – Army, Air, and Naval Forces – available to multinational coalitions authorized to carry on peace support, humanitarian assistance, coalition, collective or individual operations in the framework UN, NATO, OSCE and EU-led Observing, Monitoring, Liaison and Training teams.
The 23 years of contribution to foreign missions meant for the Romanian Armed Forces the maintenance, almost continuously, of a military force of variable sizes, integrated into UN, OSCE, NATO, and EU missions carried out in Africa and Asia, in the theatres of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Western Balkans. All these years, almost more almost 40,000 Romanian troops took part in different operations and missions out of national borders, gathering valuable professional experience extremely useful in the transformation, operationalization, and interoperability enhancement process of the Romanian Armed Forces with their NATO and EU counterparts.
Romanian Armed forces wisely and skillfully planned their combat forces to fight the war on terror far away from the national borders, proving their capability and determination to fully carry out their missions. In spite of the financial restraints induced by the worldwide economic crisis, Romania remained consistent with its commitments to support the international community in the fight against terror.
The contribution of the Romanian troops to the collective defense, peacekeeping, and restoration missions to enforce the stipulations of the UN Security Council Resolutions, of the international legislation and law reveals that the Romanian state complies consequently and in full faith with the commitments agreed with the allies and partners, according to the international legislation and treaties whose signing party is Romania.
By performance and professionalism, dedication, and determination, the Romanian Armed Forces make a good appearance, after 23 years since the first contribution to a UN-led foreign mission, of a reformed and solid organization, interoperable and compatible with the armed forces of the others NATO and EU member states, an active security generator, a major contributor to the fulfillment of the international commitments agreed by the Romanian state. The Romanian Armed Forces – a true ambassador for Romania’s image worldwide!