NATO’s Geoană steps down, eyes presidential run
Mircea Geoană will resign from his position as NATO Deputy Secretary General on September 10.
On Tuesday, September 3, Geoană discussed the matter with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, informing him of his decision.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accepted the resignation and expressed his gratitude to Mircea Geoană for his service.
"Mircea Geoană has served NATO for nearly five years. His focus on technology and emerging security challenges has been crucial in driving innovation within the Alliance. He is a dedicated transatlanticist, and his work with partners has significantly benefited NATO. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours," Stoltenberg said in a NATO statement.
Mircea Geoană is the first Romanian to hold this position and the first Deputy Secretary General from a post-Cold War member state.
According to a NATO statement, until a successor is appointed, the role of NATO Deputy Secretary General will be temporarily filled by Boris Ruge, the Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy (PASP).
It is noted that Mircea Geoană was appointed NATO Deputy Secretary General in October 2019.
According to Euronews, the main reason for his resignation appears to be his candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections. At the end of August, Mircea Geoană stated that his decision to run in the presidential elections was a personal one. He mentioned that the official announcement will be made upon the conclusion of his mandate at NATO.
Mircea Geoană previously ran for President of Romania in 2009. He received 49.6% of the votes but lost to Traian Băsescu.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
