President Iohannis releases message of unity before participating in the "Pedalling for Romania" bicycle march

President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday released a message calling for unity among the Romanians before participating in the bicycle march "Pedalam pentru Romania" (Pedalling for Romania) dedicated to the centennial of Romania's December 1, 1918 Greater Union.

Prior to leaving Palatului Square, Iohannis said that it would be good if unity is reached in the centennial year.

"In our daily lives, we, the people here, are very different people, with different occupations, with different interests, with different hobbies, but we have found a common point - we like to ride a bicycle. How good would it be that now, 100 years after we got united, to get to unity; that would be sensational! I dedicate my participation to this desiderate - to create more unity among us," Iohannis said.

According to the president, the centennial is about Romanians and about unity.

"This is an excellent initiative, and I want to congratulate you on that; I hope that the fact that I came here does not surprise you. You know that I have been very happy to take part in bicycle events for a long time, and I find it marvellous your going to Alba Iulia to celebrate the centennial. The centennial is about us, the Romanians, about unity, and let us not forget, that today, when you start off, is Flag Day, the day of a powerful symbol of Romania," Iohannis said.

At the same time, the head of state sent the participants to the bicycle race his wishes for success.

"I wish you the best of success! Bon voyage! You will meet interesting people, you will find beautiful places and in the end you will reach the city of the union. Congratulations!,' Iohannis said.

The president came to the event by bicycle and, before leaving with the other cyclists, he took pictures with them. He joined the race for the Piata Palatului - Arc de Triomphe route.

Nearly 250 amateur cyclists on Tuesday left from Bucharest, Timisoara, Iasi and Drobeta-Turnu-Severin, to meet five days later in Alba Iulia in this March dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Greater Union, according to organiser of the event Cu Bicileta Departe Association. AGERPRES (RO- author: Madalina Cerban, editor: Florin Marin; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Adina Panaitescu)