United States Congress approved Hans Klemm for the position of US Ambassador to Bucharest, at President Barack Obama's proposal.
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee granted on July 29 their favorable opinion to Hans Klemm on his nomination as US ambassador to Romania.
Romania is a "friend" and a "strategic partner" of the United States, said Hans Klemm on July 22, before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee members, pledging to strengthen bilateral relations and to support anti-corruption efforts.
"It is an honor for me to appear before you today in the capacity of the person nominated by President Barack Obama for the post of US ambassador to Romania. I am grateful and excited about the honor that President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry bestowed on me.
If confirmed in office, I undertake to promote US interests and to protect American citizens, and to strengthen the excellent relations with our ally and with our partner Romania, "said Klemm on July 22 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee members. "Romania is a reliable partner and contributes significantly to peacekeeping missions and international security.
For years, Romania has been among the ten main countries that contributed with troops to Afghanistan, first for the Mission of the International Security Assistance Force, now for the support missions. To demonstrate its commitment to European defense, Romania is hosting a base within the missile defense system. Furthermore, in Romania there are hundreds of members of the US Military and Naval Forces located, being a regional center for logistics equipment.
Romania took a firm position together with the United States to respond to Russian aggression in the region. If I am confirmed, I will work with determination to strengthen Romania's role both within NATO and within our bilateral partnership, " Klemm said.
Hans Klemm is a career diplomat, former ambassador to East Timor from June 2007 to May 2010. Until 2012, he served as coordinator for the rule of law and observance of the law at the embassy in Kabul, in Afghanistan.
Between 2000 and 2001, Klemm was deputy director of the Office of the EU and Regional Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Klemm has also occupied positions in Germany, Japan, South Korea and Trinidad and Tobago, within the US State Department.
He is a graduate of the University of Indiana and has a master's degree from Stanford University.