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Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Romanian Foreign Minister Luminița-Teodora Odobescu shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding during a ceremony in the Treaty Room at the State Department, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

US thanks Romania for its leader exiting the NATO leadership race to clear the way for Rutte

The Biden administration has thanked Romania for its president withdrawing from the race to lead NATO, saying the move would help ensure the Western military alliance stays properly focused

By Matthew Lee
Published - Jun 21, 2024, 11:10 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 21, 2024, 11:10 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday thanked Romania for its president withdrawing from the race to lead NATO, saying the move would help ensure the Western military alliance stays properly focused.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered the message to his Romanian counterpart Luminița-Teodora Odobescu. Their meeting Friday at the State Department came just a day after Romanian President Klaus Iohannis dropped out of the running for NATO's top job, clearing the way for outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

“Romania has played a critical role in making sure that the alliance is focused everywhere it needs to be focused, including on our eastern flank,” Blinken told Odobescu. “We’re grateful for that. I am grateful for President Iohannis and his leadership and making sure the alliance is appropriately focused.”

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