Dr. Clara Volintiru Appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Romanian Government

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) congratulates Dr. Clara Volintiru, the head of the organization’s Bucharest office and Black Sea regional director, on her appointment today as secretary of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. As the second-highest official in the ministry, she will contribute to the coordination of Romania’s strategic priorities, focus on strengthening the country’s international role and partnerships, and oversee a portfolio that covers interinstitutional relations, development cooperation, and human rights.

Dr. Volintiru joined GMF in 2022. She has spearheaded strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening regional stability and security, good governance, and civil society resilience in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine. She also fostered transatlantic cooperation with those countries. 

Dr. Volintiru will return to GMF after her government service ends. “Clara is immensely talented and has enabled GMF to play a vital role advancing stability and good governance in the Black Sea region,” said GMF President Dr. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer. “The Romanian foreign ministry will benefit greatly from her energy and vision.”

Dr. Volintiru is one of many GMF alumni on both sides of the Atlantic to serve in critical policymaking roles.