The World...In General: A Rising Ally - U.S.-Romania Strategic Cooperation on NATO’s Eastern Flank

The origin of diplomacy and consuls predates that of permanent ambassadors by almost two millennia. The first ambassadors set up residence in foreign countries during the late Middle Ages.  When most people think about consular matters, if they think about them at all, it’s because they are having difficulties in a foreign country or because they have to apply for a visa to travel, study, or immigrate abroad. But there is so much rich history around the key role consuls have played in international trade and diplomacy.

Join us for a talk by H.E. Ambassador George Cristian Maior, Romanian Ambassador to the U.S..

NATO has strengthened its deterrence and defense posture in Europe, in response to Russia’s increased assertiveness and military actions in the Black Sea area, including the Kremlin’s 2014 illegal seizure of Crimea. As a U.S. strategic partner and NATO frontline state in the region, Romania plays a key part in these efforts. What are the challenges that Russia’s current conduct can pose to the region, the North Atlantic Alliance and the international order? What role can stronger U.S. engagement in the region and an increase in the Romanian defense budget play in answering these challenges? 

Join us for an engaging look at the future of Romania and the perspectives of U.S.-Romanian cooperation in one of the key regions of the world with Romanian Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency George Cristian Maior.

H.E. Ambassador George Cristian Maior, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary  

George Cristian Maior has been accredited as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the United States, as per Decree no 583 of June 29th, 2015, signed by the President of Romania. He has officially commenced his mandate on September 17th, 2015, upon presenting his Letters of Credence to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States of America.

Between 1992 and 1997, he was a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the Department of Treaties and Department of Strategic Affairs. Between 1997 and 1999, he was Chargé D’affaires at the Romanian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland. In 2004, he was conferred the rank of Ambassador.

Between 2000 and 2004, he held the position of State Secretary and head of the Department for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Defense Policy within the Ministry of National Defense. In that capacity, he was responsible for coordinating the strategic and military dimension of Romania’s NATO accession process.

In November 2004, Mr. Maior was elected Senator in the Romanian Parliament, where he held various positions, including Chairman of the Committee for Defense, Public Order and National Security; member of Joint Committee for the Parliamentary Oversight on the Foreign Intelligence Service Activity, and member of the Senate Committee for Human Rights, Cults and Minorities.

Following his nomination by the President of Romania and the vote received from the Romanian Parliament, on October 4th, 2006, George Cristian Maior was appointed the 4thDirector of the Romanian Intelligence Service. During his eight years at the helm of this institution (up until February 2015), the SRI went through an extensive reform process which allowed it to strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships with the most important intelligence services in the democratic world, as well as to gain and consolidate a high level of public confidence.

A Law graduate, Mr. Maior received in 1992 his LL.M. in International and Comparative Law at the George Washington University, Washington DC. In 1997, he was conferred a PhD in International Law at the “Babeş Bolyai” University in Cluj Napoca. His PhD dissertation, “National and European Features in Strasbourg European Court Jurisprudence”, was nominated for the UNESCO Most Prize in 1998.

He is a university professor and PhD coordinator at the Department of International Relations and European Integration within the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest. He published a great number of articles and books covering topics from human rights and public law to international relations, strategic thinking, security and intelligence studies.

He was invited as keynote speaker at prestigious universities, organizations, and think-tanks (Harvard Kennedy School of Government, George Washington University, American University, National Intelligence University, Atlantic Council, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Center for European Policy Analysis, AIPAC, etc.). He is a member of the Honorary Board of Advisors of the “National Student Leadership Foundation.”

The President of Romania awarded George Cristian Maior the National Order of “Faithful Service” in rank of Knight, the National Order “Star of Romania” in rank of Knight and the National Order “Star of Romania” in rank of Officer. In April 2014, he became a Knight of the “Legion of Honor” order, a title conferred by the President of France. In 2017, The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) awarded George Cristian Maior the “Earl Warren Medallion” for the outstanding partnership with the United States and exceptional leadership during his tenure as Director of Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI).  Additionally, he is a Doctor Honoris Causa of the Military Technical Academy in Bucharest, of the “Andrei Saguna” University in Constanta and of the West University in Timisoara.

He was born on November 16, 1967, in Cluj-Napoca. He is married to Anamaria Maior and has two children.

The World...in General is cosponsored by World Affairs Council of Oregon, Portland State University’s Office of International Affairs, and the Oregon Consular Corps