| THE END OF THE ROMANIAN TROOPS' MISSION IN IRAQ 24/07/2009 |
| (2009-07-24) |
| Last updated: 2009-07-27 14:55 EET |
The return to Craiova, in southern Romania, of the Romanian soldiers from the 26th Infantry Battalion marks the withdrawal of the last Romanian troops from the coalition. Romania has been active in the theatre of operations in Iraq since 2003. Both the American commanders and Iraqi authorities praised the Romanian military for the way they carried out their missions.
Bucharest deployed some 850 military personnel in the country, but the contingent was gradually downsized to 368. As many as 7,000 Romanian soldiers took part in operations. According to the Defence Minister in Bucharest, the cost of the Romanian presence in Iraq totalled 80 million euros. The last contingent was engaged in humanitarian and medical services, also providing training for the Iraqi armed forces in the Talil and Baghdad areas.
Romania's participation in military missions in Iraq also had a human cost: soldiers Bogdan Hincu and Ioan Grosaru died in the line of duty and were posthumously decorated by President Basescu, while six others were injured. The ten Romanian battalions that took part in the security and peace-keeping operations in Iraq throughout the six years will take part in a special ceremony held in Bucharest, on July 29th.
The Romanian presence in Iraq and their participation in missions in Afghanistan, as part of the NATO force, is proof that Bucharest's commitment to being an active and responsible member of the Transatlantic community is more than mere words. The Baghdad authorities have voiced wish to strengthen their ties with Bucharest, once military operations are over.
Romanian President Traian Basescu has recently stated in Iraq that Bucharest's next goal is to have Romanian companies sent to that country to take part in the Iraq Development Program. Romania, the head of state explained, has a long tradition in the oil and gas industries, in building refineries, cement factories, in developing road infrastructure and in agriculture.
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2025-04-03
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