Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced on Tuesday his decision to enter the race for the role of NATO secretary-general, adding that Romania needs to take on “even greater responsibility” within the alliance.
Romania must take on “an even greater responsibility within the Euro-Atlantic leadership structures”, President Iohannis told a press conference at Cotroceni Palace, the residence of the Romanian executive, underlining his aim to assume this role on behalf of Romania.
“I have decided to enter the competition for the position of Secretary General of NATO,” Iohannis added.
On 22 February, Bloomberg, citing European officials, reported that Romania had notified other NATO members of its intention to nominate its president as a candidate for the post of secretary general of the defence alliance.
The president’s announcement comes after the government brought forward Romania’s presidential elections from December to September this year.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s current secretary general, will finish his term on 1 October.
Iohannis based his decision on Romania’s record in the defence sector, the experience gained during his two presidential terms and his “deep understanding of the challenges facing NATO, Europe, and particularly our region.”
He also expressed a “firm commitment to NATO’s core values and objectives.”
He said that his candidacy embodies “a legitimate aspiration” of Romania, a nation that has undergone “radical transformations over the past two decades and could contribute its experience to shaping a new vision” on how the Alliance could respond “swiftly and effectively” to a diverse and complex array of challenges and threats.
“We have a profound understanding …. of the current security situation, which is further exacerbated by Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Iohannis said, noting the need for NATO to undergo “a renewal of perspective on its mission.”
The Romanian President also underlined the valuable contribution of Eastern Europe to NATO’s discussions and decisions. With “balanced, robust and influential representation from this region”, the Alliance is better able to make decisions that take into account the needs and concerns of all member states, he added.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is seen as the frontrunner in the race to lead NATO, but there is interest among Eastern European states in supporting a candidate from the region, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas also mentioned as a potential successor to Stoltenberg.
(Cătălina Mihai & Sebastian Rotaru | Euractiv.ro)
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