US Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec Remarks on the Occasion of the Independence Day Reception

July 3, 2024   As prepared for delivery   Mr. President, Mr. President of the Senate, Mr. Prime Minister Ministers and Members of Parliament Your excellencies, Dear friends and partners,   Good evening, welcome, and a very happy Fourth of July! It is an honor to celebrate American Independence Day here with all of you in Bucharest.  Thank you for joining us.    This evening, we mark the 248th anniversary of American independence, the 27th year of the U.S.-Romanian strategic partnership, and the enduring friendship between our countries.  I would like to extend a warm welcome to our distinguished guests, President Iohannis and Prime Minister Ciolacu.  We are honored to have you here with us tonight.  Your presence is a testament to the strong partnership between the United States and Romania.   The American Declaration of Independence, signed 248 years ago on July 4, marked the birth of the United States of America.  Our nation was founded on the ideals of liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness, and on the enduring values of democracy and rule of law.  These have guided our country through centuries of growth, challenge, and progress.    This holiday reminds us that these democratic values are universal aspirations that resonate with people around the world, including with our friends in Romania.  Our strategic partnership with Romania is built on shared democratic values, economic links, deep people-to-people ties, and cooperation in security and defense.  As NATO allies and partners, our commitment to Romania is unwavering and essential to protecting our shared values and way of life.    Congratulations to Romania for marking 20 years in NATO this year.  As President Biden recently said, Romania has exceeded all expectations as a strong NATO ally.   We look forward next week to celebrating with you the 75th anniversary of NATO, an alliance that has become larger, stronger and more united than ever.  As we celebrate tonight, we honor the spirit of resilience and hope that characterizes both our nations.  We also remember our friends in Ukraine, who continue to suffer from the illegal, unprovoked and horrific war perpetrated by Russia.    Mr. President, we will forever be grateful to the Romanian people and government for your unwavering support to the people of Ukraine in their time of need.  You have provided significant humanitarian, political, economic and military support to your neighbors.  And I know Romania is ready to help with Ukraine’s reconstruction when that critical moment arrives. Our shared commitment to democracy is in the spotlight this year, as over 60 countries — comprising nearly half the world’s population — hold elections, including in both our countries.   Each election is a celebration of democracy.  It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to free and fair elections, to defend our political discourse from misinformation and hate speech, and to elect leaders who bring us together to build a better future.   As we vote, we contribute to the enduring strength of democracy around the world.  As allies and partners, the United States and Romania cooperate in many spheres, including in economics and culture.    For this year’s Independence Day reception, we have chosen to celebrate our cooperation in the world of film, a medium through which we share our stories, dreams and values. Our cinema showcases the diversity and dynamism that defines the American experience. From the heroics of classic Westerns to the futuristic visions of science fiction, our films have inspired audiences around the world and offered a glimpse into the American way of life. Romanian cinema, too, has made significant contributions to the world of film. Romanian film is renowned for its creativity and innovative storytelling. Romanian filmmakers have garnered global recognition for their powerful and thought-provoking works.   Before the 1989 Revolution, for many Romanians, American films provided a rare and precious window to the outside world. They were a source of inspiration, offering hope and a connection to the broader human experience beyond Romanian borders. Movies like George Lucas’ "Star Wars," and Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” did more than entertain; they sparked imaginations and kindled a sense of possibility. Irina Nistor, whom I recently had the honor to meet, literally gave voice to ideas and opinions absent from Romanian public discourse.  So it is natural that American producers are drawn to collaborate with the Romanian film industry, leading to many American movies being filmed in Romania, such as the Oscar-winning “Cold Mountain,” which has helped showcase Romania’s natural beauty to the world.   More recently we have seen the release of several popular series filmed in Romania, including “Hatfield & McCoys,” the worldwide hit, “Wednesday,” and “The Grey House.”    Top filmmakers come to Romania for the scenery, the stories, and the expert film production teams.   I will never forget the day I bumped into the Francis Ford Copolla, filming the movie “Youth without Youth” on ?oseaua Kiseleff in Bucharest!  Romanian skills and talent were recently highlighted in the Emmy awards in Hollywood for work done on the hit series “Wednesday.”  For those of you who have seen the series, you will recognize some of the props in our decor this evening, including a red pickup truck and canoes from the famous canoe race!   But cinema is not just entertainment, it’s also a big driver of economic growth.   Film productions bring major investments, create local jobs, and raise the profiles of the locations in which they are shot, drawing tourists keen to see where the magic happened.  For example, fans from all over the world now flock to the Cantacuzino Palace in Bu?teni to see the location of the famed “Nevermore Academy” featured in “Wednesday.”    We therefore welcome the Romanian government’s recent decision to re-establish a film incentive program, which we expect to draw more American film productions to Romania.  More broadly, I am delighted to say that U.S.-Romanian trade and investment continues to grow.  In 2023, trade in goods and services between the United States and Romania reached a record-breaking $7.1 billion, and the trends continue to be positive across all economic sectors.  Likewise, educational exchange continues to deepen and grow, thanks to bilateral support for the U.S.-Romanian Fulbright Commission and other exchange organizations that promote our people-to-people ties.     So tonight let us celebrate the enduring friendship between the United States and Romania and the strengthening and deepening of our partnership.  I hope you will enjoy the film memorabilia, the movie themes performed by the Romanian ensemble “Life on Mars,” and the American cuisine.  This is a night to immerse ourselves in the spirit of celebration and the magic of the movies.  Tonight everyone is a star!    Hope you enjoy an Oscar-worth evening – Happy Fourth everyone!   (Source: Public Diplomacy – Press Office U.S. Embassy-Bucharest)