The national flag represents dignity, unity and courage. It oversees the country’s development and guides towards a prosperous future, Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated in a ceremony held to celebrate the National Flag Day. He noted the flag is a symbol of independence, sovereignty and national values, IPN reports, quoting the Government’s press service.

“Our ancestors proved that to raise the flag up, we need to stand up from our knees. We tried to go up to the height and dignity of the tricolor. At least during the past three years, we stood up and with the head up: from the UN rostrum we sought the pull-out of the foreign troops from the country’s territory. For the first time, we managed to fully control the state border, including on the central segment, and clearly said that the people’s interests and the national interest are above everything,” Pavel Filip stated in the event organized by the State Guard and Protection Service.

The Premier noted patriotism means abandoning the own wishes in favor of what this flag represents. “It is a lesson that we, the politicians, should definitely learn. We should learn to look into the future, to show more unity, devotion and love for the country,” said Pavel Filip.

In the ceremony, a group of officers and sub-officers of the State Guard and Protection Service were awarded diplomas of honor of the Government.

The National Flag Day is marked on April 27. On this day in 1990, the tricolor was for the first time hoisted on the Parliament Building. The Flag Day was decreed in 2010.