The Minister of National Defence, Corneliu Dobritoiu, offered the Emblem of Honor of the Romanian Armed Forces to King Simeon II of Bulgaria, during a ceremony organized at 'Carol I' National Defence University, in Bucharest.on Tuesday, 20 November,
The highest military decoration with peace insignia was offered to the Bulgarian guest as a token of the high appreciation for his entire activity and special merits in developing friendly and cooperation relations between the armed forces of Romania and Bulgaria.'
Speaking of the integration of the two countries into NATO, the defence minister said that Romania and Bulgaria joined the Euro-Atlantic family with their nation historical and geographic identities, with their own knowledge and interpretation of the present challenges.
'We shared our experience with other allies and accepted NATO's principles and values. We obtained many important privileges: a place at the table of the Euro-Atlantic decision-makers, a role in planning and conducting military operations, above all the umbrella offered by Article 5 of Washington Treaty and the important responsibilities we were given.'
At the same time, minister Dobritoiu pointed out the remarkable contribution of the distinguished guest to Bulgaria's joining the North Atlantic Alliance: 'During your Majesty's mandate as prime minister, from 2011, Bulgaria made visible progress that allowed your country to become a member of NATO and EU. It took a lot of work to make a reality out of the dream.'
The ceremony organized in the Senate Hall of the National Defence University was attended by state secretaries of defence Sebastian Huluban and Floarea Serban, representatives of the Royal Houses of Romania, Bulgaria and Austria, local authorities, the commander and senate members of the National Defence University.

MoND Press Office