President Iohannis: In tough times, the real statesmen should act to the citizens' benefit

President Klaus Iohannis stated on Thursday that the example of the elites and their action in 1859 show that "in tough times, the true statesmen should rise to the height of the great challenges and act to the citizens' benefit."

"In 1859, the Romanian Principalities embraced European values and entered an ample process of state modernization and consolidation. In 2019, Romania's destiny can no longer be separated from the EU as a project of peace, prosperity, security, equity and cohesion for its citizens For 160 years, Romanians have come closer to the fundamental humanist values of Europe by building a state of law, of democracy and of human dignity, of freedom and equality. This journey has been marked by vision, sacrifice, commitment and oblation.The elites' example and the message of their actions from 160 years ago is still a guide and shows us that in tough times, the real statesmen must rise to the height of the great challenges and act for the benefit of the citizens," the head of state said at the scientific communication session called "The Romanian Principalities Union, the basis of the Romanian modern state," organized at the Patriarchal Palace.

Earlier, President Klaus Iohannis attended the Te Deum religious service at the Patriarchal Cathedral and laid a wreath at the statue of ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza.