In 1997, Romania's progress toward NATO membership was highlighted in the "Madrid Summit Declaration," which stated that Romania was among the countries that "aspire to membership" and had made "significant progress" in their preparations. In 2002, Romania received an official invitation to join NATO at the Prague Summit.
Following the invitation, Romania continued its preparations, implementing political, economic, and military reforms to meet NATO standards. These efforts included the restructuring of the Romanian Armed Forces, the adoption of new legislation on defense and security, and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
On March 29, 2004, Romania, along with Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, formally became members of NATO at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The accession marked a significant milestone in Romania's foreign and security policy and its commitment to collective defense and transatlantic cooperation.
In conclusion, while it took Romania several years to complete the accession process and become a full member of NATO, the preparations and reforms undertook during that time were aimed at ensuring the country's readiness and compatibility with the Alliance's standards and objectives.
