Ex-king Michael happy at opportunity to address conference by celebrating fall of communism

Romania's former sovereign Michael I said in a message to the international conference on "25 Years since the Collapse of Communist Dictatorships in Eastern Europe: Looking Back, Looking Forward" taking place at the Palace of Parliament on Thursday that communism in Romania was born in 1921 and now, nearly nine decades on he has the opportunity to address the participants in the conference by celebrating its fall.

'In 1927, at the death of King Ferdinand I, my grandfather, I was proclaimed King of Romania. In the 87 years that have passed I was the direct witness of the rise and fall of fascism and communism. Two criminal systems that have left more than 100 million victims behind and many million people with mutilated souls and bodies... My family and I have worked much in the last 25 years since the fall of communism for a democratic, prosperous, free and dignified Romania. We will not stop doing this thing till the end of our days, being convinced that the institution of the Royal House is part of our state—and national identity', said the message read by Michael's son-in-law Prince Radu from the Parliament rostrum.

The former king added his life 'has been a long and loyal wait, a wait for Europe to come to its senses, a wait for Romania to go back to its own self'.

'But I have also known blessed moments in my long life. God wanted me to be on the front line of my country's returning to the dignified family of the free nations by Romania's joining the EU and the North Atlantic Organization as a full member', the message says.AGERPRES