Transatlantic Relationship Fundamental for Peace, Security, and Prosperity
Q&A with George Cristian Maior, Ambassador of Romania
Name: George Cristian Maior | Age: 51| Hometown: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ambassador to the U.S. since: September 17, 2015
Tell us a little bit about your family and personal background. Where did you grow up? What was your childhood and family like?
I had a happy childhood growing up in a family of intellectuals. I enjoyed reading good books and a certain degree of freedom inside my small circle of family, friends, and my community, despite the communist dictatorship back in the 70s and 80s. School was an enriching experience, even though it was based on certain ideologies imposed by the regime. I had many interesting professors and teachers who really taught us the values of freedom and democracy, even during such a difficult period.
So your father is a historian. How did that impact your upbringing?
I was taught by my father to try to understand events as they developed and to make interpretations on the basis of the actual circumstances. This view of history really helped me later in life to understand the evolution of our society and region, the period of communist dictatorship and the way Central and Eastern Europe was absorbed in a system it didn’t belong to.
I have always loved history because we can learn many lessons from it.
You’re not new to Washington — you attended George Washington University and graduated with a LL.M. in International and Comparative Law in 1992. After graduation you returned to Romania and began your career as a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Was this your plan all along or did you consider another career path?
Actually, no, it was not my initial plan. I always wanted to have an academic career but my experience in Washington at GWU along with everything that was happening in my country after the revolution made me want to be part of the process of recreating institutions and transitioning towards a free market. I decided to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it was an interesting experience at the beginning as the institution was going through a transition as well. We were trying to recalibrate the definition of national interest in terms of European and Euro-Atlantic values, trying to recreate relations with countries that were our allies in the past, but because of the Cold War, were in opposing camps. In other words, we were trying to generate and stimulate a new mentality in terms of understanding our role as diplomats in the world.
Your father also joined the government at the same time. Was it for the same reasons?
I think he was a man trying to dedicate his life to the evolution of his country, first as a historian and then in the government as minister of education. He has always said that history is made through the accepting of challenges. It was not easy for him to leave academic life for government service, but he believed that education was a very important area for bringing Romania back to a society of knowledge. Although we should not forget that many Romanians, even during that period of time, managed to absorb and understand the evolution of the free world through reading; also, by accepting the fact that ultimately you are free even under a dictatorship, if you try to accumulate knowledge. Knowledge will set you free.
You’ve been ambassador here in Washington for three years now. What would you say have been the most memorable experiences of your posting?
I will always remember presenting my credentials to the former president Barack Obama, and the discussion our families had after that. And, of course, the fact that we managed to have a meeting between our president, Klaus Iohannis, and president Donald Trump in the first six months after the latter assumed office, which was a success. These are achievements I believe every diplomat will try to accomplish in his career.
You’ve had a diverse and impressive career between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Romania’s Parliament, most recently serving as the Director of the Romanian Intelligence Service. Looking back on your career, what would you say is the most important lesson you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be brave and to find the courage needed when assuming a position; to be mindful of your values, and most importantly, to do the right thing. That is not always easy for someone working for the government. It will often be difficult.
What characteristic or trait has been most critical to your success in your career?
A certain capacity to resist temptations related to circumstances and to try to do the right thing, irrespective of challenges or forces that will always try to resist change.
What advice would you give to your younger self knowing everything you know now?
To be confident. And to seek positions either in government or society that will have value for the community and the country.
If you were not an ambassador, what would you be?
A professor. Actually, I still am a professor, because I continue to work for one of the main universities in Bucharest. I advise some PhD students who are working on their dissertations and find time on a monthly basis to meet with my students by videoconference. I will probably return to doing this full-time in the future.
Romania is one of the most recent members of the EU (joined in 2007). In what ways has Romania transformed because of its membership in the EU?
It has transformed not only because of membership, but because of our preparations for membership. There was a radical change in terms of our society, economy, and even our mentalities. It was an objective that was embraced by the entire society and I’m glad to say that Romania is one of the most pro-EU societies in Europe. Economic progress is clearly linked to our accession to the EU, but it’s more than that. It’s a new ethos in terms of our mission in the world and Europe, a new responsibility, and many other aspects related to stability and security.
I’m proud to be serving a country that is a member of the EU.
What do you feel is the most important reason we need a strong EU-U.S. relationship today?
I believe that the transatlantic relationship is fundamental for a certain structure of peace, security, and prosperity in a very complicated world. I think Europe needs the U.S. as much as the U.S. needs Europe.
It’s our duty as diplomats to work for this relationship. I know it’s a challenge and at times there are different ideas about certain aspects, like trade or the economy, but those are minor in comparison to the great achievement that was NATO, and the transatlantic relationship after WWII. We must preserve this legacy, try to adapt it to a very dynamic world, and strive to find ways to further connect Europe and the U.S. because we are living in a very challenging historical time.
Romania is undergoing intense preparations in view of its first Presidency of the Council of the European Union that will begin in January. What is the number one thing you’d like to see the EU achieve during the Romanian presidency?
This is a challenging mission for my country because it’s a very complex period for the EU. During our presidency we will enter the final stages of the negotiations for Brexit, have discussions for the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021–2027, face upcoming elections for the European Parliament, and in May there will be an important reflection summit taking place in the city of Sibiu, in the region of Transylvania, and is related to the future of the European Union after Brexit. All these aspects generate a context of great challenges for Romania. Our goal is to have a presidency capable of maintaining the solidarity of the EU and continuing the projects that are underway in terms of interconnectivity and cohesion, trying as well to accelerate negotiations regarding the accession of some countries from the Western Balkans. We will also celebrate 10 years since the Eastern Neighborhood Policy, which is an important matter for the eastern frontier of the EU, with countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. There will be many challenging aspects in discussion, not to mention the ideas related to a Common Defense Policy, the aspects related to trade, speaking about EU-U.S. relationships, and cyber aspects. As this is the first time we will hold this presidency, there are certain perceptions related to the capacity of an EU newcomer to do this job, but I’m confident we’ll have a successful presidency.
In December, Romania celebrated an important milestone — could you tell me more about the centennial and what it means to you personally?
It’s an important event because it speaks directly about our identity as a modern nation. The state of Romania is older than the centennial. The centennial is a celebration of two things: the reunification of Romania and our identity as a democratic and modern state. For other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, this is also an important event in terms of remembering the difficult century that was imposed upon us, the great dynamism of our societies after the revolution of 1989, and the return to democracy after the communist period. The centennial is a period of reflection about our history, but also a look into our future.
What would you say has been the greatest accomplishment for Romania in these past 100 years?
The greatest accomplishment is the fact that we are members of the Euro-Atlantic community.
This was an ideal that was shared by many Romanians, many politicians and intellectuals. Foreign Minister Nicolae Titulescu, who was the president of the League of Nations in the interwar period, always dreamed of a Romania in alliance with democratic countries from the West, a Romania that was part of international organizations whose missions are peace, prosperity and stability in the world. Now, that dream is fulfilled with our membership of NATO and the EU, and I believe this is the greatest accomplishment in the past 100 years.
What do you think Americans would be most surprised to learn about Romania?
That Dracula doesn’t exist. [Laughter] And that it was in fact the nickname of a Romanian prince, Vlad the Impaler. Apart from this joke, I think Romania is a remarkable country to be discovered. It’s a beautiful country with great history, culture and traditions. I hope we’ll be able to project this image in America and to the Americans.
You’ve published a number of books and articles on human rights, international law, and intelligence and national security issues. You also like to read. Any favorite authors?
One of my favorite authors is Saul Bellow, winner of the 1976 Nobel Prize in Literature. Not only because of his great literature, but he has visited Romania and wrote a wonderful novel describing the relationship between the individual and history in a very complicated period. Another favorite author is a Romanian, Augustin Buzura. Because of his critical spirit, he was confronted with communist censorship. I also like South American literature and poetry. Reading is one of my passions and something that helps me to relax.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
That’s a secret. [Laughter] I was the head of the intelligence service, so I know how to maintain secrets. Some people are surprised to hear that I enjoy baseball, because most Europeans don’t really connect with the philosophy of baseball, which expresses a lot about America. I believe this sport really says something about American society, culture, and mentality, which I like.
What’s your favorite baseball team?
The Washington Nationals. I am sorry they didn’t make it to the playoffs, but I was happy I had the chance to be invited to kick off the baseball match with the Chicago Cubs last season.
What do you like most about Americans?
I like their passion for freedom, including freedom of thought. I admire that there is this natural inclination towards speaking the truth, the truth being what a certain individual perceives to be the truth. It’s genuine and refreshing to see this in a society and I really like this liberty to express yourself that we enjoy here in America.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my family and my children.
What advice would you give to young people today?
To try to learn and give back something to their societies, irrespective of what they do in life, whether they join politics and government or not. To try to have an education, because that will stimulate their contribution to society.
This story is part of the @EUintheUS “Ambassador Spotlight Series,” featuring in-depth, personal interviews with ambassadors from the European Union’s 28 Member States. Follow our publication and stay tuned for the next story.
