Romanian diplomat Mircea Geoană on Tuesday stepped down as NATO Deputy Secretary General, in a move he hopes will pave his path to the Romanian presidency.
Mr. Geoană, 66, who’s served in the position since 2019 notified NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of his resignation which will become effective on Sept. 10.
He is expected to shortly announce his bid for president in November elections although he has stopped short of making a formal announcement yet.
“Mircea has served NATO for nearly five years. His focus on technology and emerging security challenges has been critical to driving innovation in the Alliance. He is a true transatlanticist and his work with partners has greatly benefited NATO. I wish him all the best for the future,” Mr. Stoltenberg said without mentioning the upcoming Romanian elections.
Mr. Geoana who’s held a number of senior posts in Romania including as foreign minister last week said Romania was ready “for an important change.” He called the 2024 presidential elections the most important in the last 20 years.
“I am determined, I am calm, I am determined,” he said.
President Klaus Iohannis is stepping down after serving a maximum two 5-year terms.
Mr Geoană was the first Romanian to be Deputy Secretary General, and the first person to hold the post from a country that joined the Alliance after the end of the Cold War, a press release said. Romania joined the Alliance in 2004.
Mr Boris Ruge, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy (PASP), will serve as Acting Deputy Secretary General until a successor is appointed, a statement said.
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