ATHENS 

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced Tuesday his candidacy for the head of NATO. 

“I decided to enter the competition for NATO SG (Secretary General) position and I assume this candidacy with full responsibility on behalf of Romania,” he said in a video on X.

He argued that Romania is a pillar of stability and security in the region.

“It is time to assume an even greater responsibility within the Euro-Atlantic leadership,” he said.

Iohannis maintained that Romania has undergone radical transformations in the last 20 years and can contribute to shaping a new vision of NATO.

“We have a deep understanding, including from the perspective of the historical challenges facing our region, of the current security situation, created by RU's war against Ukraine. At the same time, I believe that NATO also needs a renewal of the perspective on its mission,” he said.

Prime Minister Nicolae Ionel Ciuca announced support for Iohannis' candidacy.

“I wish him to become the first Eastern-European leader to hold this office,” he wrote on X.

Iohannis became the first official candidate to succeed Jens Stoltenberg who has led the alliance since 2014.​​​​​​​