NATO has appointed former Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana as deputy secretary-general, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg has announced.
Geoana, a former leader of Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD), will replace American Rose Gottemoeller.
Geoana "is a staunch advocate of the transatlantic bond and will bring long experience as a statesman and diplomat to this post. He will be the first Romanian to hold this senior office," NATO said in a statement.
"Delighted to announce the appointment of experienced statesman and diplomat @Mircea_Geoana as the next @NATO Dep SecGen," Stoltenberg tweeted. "I am grateful to Rose @Gottemoeller for her outstanding service to the Alliance."
Geoana was foreign minister between 2000-04 and ran for president in 2009, losing a tight runoff to incumbent Traian Basescu.
Romania's Former Top Diplomat Appointed Deputy Secretary-General Of NATO
Mircea Geoana (file photo)