Nato Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana has announced that he is resigning from the North Atlantic Alliance effective September 10, Nato confirmed on September 3. 

Geoana, a former president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), former presidential candidate on the PSD’s ticket and co-founder of a political vehicle with Romanian politician Marian Vanghelie, has actively campaigned for the presidency of Romania as an independent candidate over the past months.

Geoana now plans to formally announce his candidacy for the presidential elections in Romania, according to G4Media.

The politician wrote in a post on his Facebook page: "being in the leadership of Nato was the honour of my life”.

Geoana was the first Romanian to hold this position and the first deputy secretary general from a nation that joined the Alliance after the Cold War ended.

The resignation, as well as Geoana’s presidential ambitions in his country Romania, was previously announced in principle, with only the timing depending on finding a replacement.

On September 3, Geoana reportedly discussed his resignation again with the secretary general of Nato, Jens Stoltenberg. 

“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. He is a true transatlanticist and his work with partners has greatly benefitted Nato. I wish him all the best for the future,” said Stoltenberg after the meeting.

According to Nato's note published on September 3 after the discussion between Geoana and Stoltenberg, German Boris Ruge, the Alliance’s current deputy secretary general for political affairs and security policy, will take over the position of deputy secretary general.