Romanian president, NATO SG Rasmussen put to test rumors about Romanian candidate for NATO chief seat

The rumors concerning Romania's candidacy for the NATO Secretary General seat risk endangering the naming of another Romanian within NATO, Sorin Ducaru, who was appointed assistant SG. “How could anyone imagine Romania would have both the SG and assistant SG seat,” said presidential adviser Iulian Chifu. The rumors have been recently put to rest by the Romanian president himself, as his name was among the two mentioned as possible candidates for the NATO SG seat. This happened during the press conference at the end of the incumbent NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's official visit to Romania (both in picture). He said Romania did not start any diplomatic procedures or of any other kind for the NATO SG seat, and mentioned Rasmussen still has one and a half years of mandate to go. Basescu's answer came right after Rasmussen was asked by journalists whether he thinks his successor could be Romanian. Rasmussen too said it is too early to talk about his successor. When asked about the two names rumored to be Romania's candidates for his seat, Traian Basescu and Mircea Geoana, Rasmussen said he would not comment on the names. “I think it is way to early to talk about this, we have a lot on our agenda, we have to focus on the 2014 summit and then we'll talk names,” said the NATO SG. Romania's Ambassador to NATO Sorin Ducaru was recently appointed as Assistant to the NATO Secretary General for Emerging Security Risks. This is the highest position held by a Romanian within NATO. Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister spokesperson Brânduşa Predescu recently said that in the history of NATO, there have been times when both the SG and his assistant were of the same nationality. The discussions about Romania's possible candidate for the SG seat came after the Romanian PM Victor Ponta himself talked about it. “It is possible – and it is very possible- that the future NATO secretary general comes from one of the new NATO member states, which clearly means either Poland or Romania. I knew it was not impossible for a Romanian to be named, as somebody, not Basescu, talked to me about this topic, and I said I'd support him,” said the PM on a TV program. Rasmussen took the Secretary General of NATO position in 2009, replacing Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has 28 members, and its purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. The NATO Secretary General is is the Alliance’s top international civil servant. This person is responsible for steering the process of consultation and decision-making in the Alliance and ensuring that decisions are implemented. The Secretary General is also NATO’s chief spokesperson and the head of the Organization’s International Staff. Romanian-born Oana Lungescu, a German citizen, is currently the NATO Spokesperson. editor@romania-insider.com