Mircea Geoană takes over duties as NATO Deputy Secretary-General

Former Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Ambassador of Romania to Washinghton, Mircea Geoană, is NATO's new Deputy Secretary General. He officially took office on Thursday.

This is the highest official position held so far by a Romanian, even by a representative of Central and Eastern Europe in this international organization. It is a recognition of the fact that Romania has played an important role in the North Atlantic Alliance for 15 years, Mircea Geoană told Digi24 on Wednesday.

Mircea Geoană: "Every time we had a chance to escape from the periphery of Europe to the heart of Europe, we did it. At institutional, formal level, having a representative at a very high level, I think Romania takes a decisive step towards anchoring, I hope, in the dialogue of our entire future existence in the family of free, democratic and prosperous countries".

Taking over of duties by the Romanian diplomat has been welcomed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He posted on Twitter a welcome message for his new deputy, saying he looks forward to working with Mircea Geoană to further strengthen the Alliance, according to Rador.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei