Mircea Geoana on Tuesday notified NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that he will step down as NATO deputy secretary general on September, nato.int reported on Tuesday.

Stoltenberg accepted the resignation, thanking Geoana for his work.

„Mircea has served NATO for nearly five years. His focus on technology and emerging security challenges has been critical to driving innovation in the Alliance,” said Stoltenberg.

He added that Geoana’s work with NATO partners greatly benefitted NATO.

„I wish him all the best for the future,” added Stoltenberg.

Geoana is the first Romanian to fill this position and the first deputy secretary general from a country that joined the Alliance after the end of the Cold War.

Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy (PASP) Boris Ruge will serve as acting deputy secretary general until a successor is appointed.

AGERPRES