Romanian Mircea Geoana, the next NATO Deputy Secretary General

The former Foreign Minister of Romania, Mircea Geoana, is the next Deputy Secretary General of NATO

Ştefan Stoica, 18.07.2019, 13:36

NATO Secretary
General Jens Stoltenberg has decided to appoint Romanian Mircea Geoana as the
next Deputy Secretary General, according to a communiqué posted on NATO’s
website on Wednesday. I am happy to
announce the appointment of Mircea Geoana as the next Deputy Secretary General.
He is a staunch advocate of the transatlantic bond and will bring long
experience as a statesman and diplomat to this post. He will be the first
Romanian to hold this senior office, Stoltenberg said.

Mircea Geoana served as President of the Romanian
Senate, Foreign Minister, and Romania’s Ambassador to the United States. He is
also the founder and president of the Aspen Institute Romania. Until now, the
highest NATO office held by a Romanian was that of Assistant Secretary
General for Emerging Security Challenges,
held by Sorin Ducaru between 2013-2017.

After the official announcement, Mircea Geoana said
in social media posts that his appointment is a challenge, but also an
opportunity to represent the interests of the Alliance, which ensures the
security of more than one billion citizens. He has stated he is deeply honored
by the appointment as the key-position he is about to hold is a recognition of Romania’s
important contribution within NATO. Mircea Geoana has also stated that,
throughout his political and diplomatic career, he has promoted Romania’s transatlantic
ties and integration. He has also appreciated the cross-party political and
institutional support for his candidacy.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry has hailed the
appointment of Mircea Geoana as Deputy Secretary General, describing it
as a special moment with regard to Romania’s NATO membership. Taking over this
important office, the highest held by Romania in the NATO hierarchy, confirms
the Romanian candidate’s professional skills and experience, and at the same
time represents a special acknowledgment of Romania’s significant role and contribution
within NATO, 15 years since its accession, the
Romanian Foreign Ministry has stated. Also, the ministry is convinced that Geoana’s holding
this important position will help strengthen NATO’s role and mission as provider
of security and collective defense in the Euro-Atlantic area, for the benefit
of Romania, of all the allied countries and their citizens.

High-ranking officials
in Bucharest have too hailed Geoana’s appointment. A successful diplomatic
career, unlike the political one, as well as his constant devotion to transatlantic relations, recommended Mircea Geoana for this top level position in
the Alliance.

(translated by M. Ignatescu)