What if Klaus Iohannis became NATO chief?

Preşedintele Klaus Iohannis, secretarul general NATO, Jens Stoltenberg și şeful Statului Major al Apărării, generalul Daniel Petrescu, vizitează baza 57 Aeriană de la Mihail Kogălniceanu, judeţul Constanţa, vineri 11 februarie 2022. Inquam Photos / Adel Al-Haddad

„It  is no longer a secret to anyone that the President Klaus Iohannis is being seriously discussed at the highest levels, in Washington and Brussels as a contender for the post of  NATO Secretary General when Jens Stoltenberg leaves the post (30 September 2023).  The discussion is the result of Romanian president’s constant  pro-Western  activity and his serious commitment to democratic values and security policies that Western capitals associate Klaus Iohannis with,” writes Liberal lawmaker Alexandru Muraru in an op-ed published by Digi24.

In his editorial, Mr Muraru reviews the significance of such an appointment for Romania:

  • „The eventual appointment of President Klaus Iohannis  to NATO  Secretary General would take Romania to a new level and would profile our country as a regional actor of  significant importance in Europe. If this nomination were to materialize, Romania would counterbalance Poland’s diplomatic  momentum  and dynamism and would gain a more robust status in international politics,  added visibility and performance,  and Romanians   Romanian officials and citizens would be invested with a greater level of trust.”
  • „At the same time, in the perspective of a lengthy war in Ukraine and the highly aggressive  arrogance of  Russian diplomacy, the  eastern flank of the alliance becomes a strategic  point not only for arms or a space or infrastructure to support the Ukrainian people, but especially through the leadership of the NATO Secretary General. More specifically, Romania would provide global leadership because  of the visibility and overwhelming global importance of the role of secretary general of the alliance. Moreover, this  US-Romanian transatlantic  relationship, which celebrated a quarter of  a century this month, would generate the most important element of political and institutional leadership…. It would be an excellent test of the power of personal, setting an  example for the European, regional and domestic politicians.”
  • „We can say flat out that Romania would have the opportunity for a Romanian official to hold the most important position ever held at an international level, a position with   diplomatic scope and an administrative assurance of  military cohesion and security’.
  • „Last but not least,  with the appointment of  Klaus Iohannis as  Secretary-General…. Romanian politicians, political parties and other actors will benefit from an increased interest from  a foreign administrations and embassies.  Romania would become a   point of reference for world political leaders, as well as newsrooms and journalists.  If this happens, , Romania will become by extension a  safe destination, confirmed by default, by potential investors,  military partners  etc.”
  • „Through the  principle that butterfly wings stir up storms, there would be little chance that an  anti-democratic political accident would happen in Bucharest as long as Klaus Iohannis was at the head of the NATO administration. Global prestige and visibility would inhibit any populist or authoritarian action.”
  • „Romania would benefit from  this whole range of  visible advantages along with countless benefits that  a function of this magnitude brings to a state. It’s a  very, very good perspective and we have good reason  to be optimistic.  The support the president enjoys in Washington and Brussels are already likely to create an  appreciable advantage in the  competition that started a few months ago.”
  • „Finally, I think our national pride would be restored and we would no longer be encumbered by the belief that we are  somehow less than other nations. It would enable us to believe that we can perform in high positions, that we are able to carry out high-level roles if we are invested with confidence and treated equally.  His election on  two occasions to the head of state was a moment  of confirmation not just of him but ultimately of our ability  to elect someone regardless of ethnicity , religion, or the region they come from.  It would be a lesson that no propaganda can defeat a nation’s  desire  to be represented with in a dignified and honest manner. Personally, I was glad when Mircea Geoana became  Secretary General of NATO (note: Geoana is from the Social Democratic Party), when Laura Codruta Kovesi became  the European Chief Prosecutor or whenever Romanians were appointed to positions of responsibility within the  EU or  of other international organizations.  And so I believe  most Romanians will look favorably if such a moment comes. It would also be the case (if Iohannis is appointed) as President of the European Council.   After all, for my generation, and of those who lived only a few years under communism or were  born in democratic times, the appointment of  a  Romanian to head  NATO will be a strong argument  for many years to come that Romanian politicians have an opportunity to deeply serve the good of the nation and of other nations”.

 

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