The director of Bucharest of an international organization, about one of the most surprising appointments in the Bolojan Government: “A generation change on such a complex portfolio can advance things”
USR representatives hold a press conference after the consultations with President Nicușor Dan, at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, June 19, 2025. Inquam Photos / George Călin
The nomination of Oana Țoiu for the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs is “more than welcome in the current context,” says the director of the Bucharest Bureau of the German Marshall Fund (GMF)-an international organization that promotes transatlantic cooperation-and teacher of international diplomacy at the Academy of Economic Studies, Clara Volintiru.
- The discussion with Clara Volintiru takes place in the context in which the USR proposal for the position of foreign minister, Oana Țoiu, is not a diplomatic profession. She graduated from the Faculty of Journalism of the University of Bucharest.
She argues that fears about the preparation of the USR deputy are unfounded, being “an intergenerational tension problem”. “I suspect that the traditionalist political apparatus in foreign structures is upset by the potential new approach, but I think it is very good news for Romania,” says GMF director.
“A generation change on such a complex portfolio as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an Outside the Box (no unconventional) nomination can better advance things in the conditions in which it has proven to be a respected partner in international networks,” says international diplomacy teacher.
“I do not remember a delegation from abroad, especially from America, which has not requested a meeting with it in the last three years.”
Volintiru also states that Țoiu had several current portfolios he managed in diplomacy with other states. Remember about strengthening the transatlantic relationship through informal networks of organizations, NGOs and experts.
“She understood the value of these transatlantic alliances and used this position to always put Romania on the map of very important discussions. I do not remember a delegation from abroad, especially in America, who has not asked for a meeting in the last three years,” explains the head of GMF, claiming that Oana Ţoiu is “one of the USA” in Romania.
Understanding of the Ukraine war
In addition to a good relationship with American officials, Volintiru also argues that the USR proposal for external understands also understands the impact of the Ukraine.
“We have had many events related to the positioning of our expert networks in relation to the role of Romania in managing the repercussions of the conflict in Ukraine and Oana Țoiu has always proved to be one of the most capable politicians to understand the multiple nuances: economic – regarding the implications for
Transport from the Black – Military, Social and Foreign Policy area ”, stresses Clara Volintiru.
In 2014, Țoiu was selected in the Marshall Memorial Fellowship program for international diplomacy and the advancement of transatlantic relations, addressed to European and American leaders. The president of France Emmanuel Macron, the president of Finland Alexander Stubb, the prime minister of Hungary Viktor Orban or the Secretary of State Secretary of the United States, Pete Buttigig, participated in the same program.
The purpose of the program is for the participants to better understand the contexts of the two banks of the Atlantic, and then represent the topics of transatlantic collaboration.
Oana Țoiu, USR proposal for external
Deputy at the second term, Oana Țoiu has a great chance of being the future foreign minister of Romania, according to the list of USR ministers for Ilie Bolojan government. This will happen if President Nicușor Dan will accept the proposal launched by the USR.
Oana Țoiu is almost 40 years old, was born in Calarasi, graduated in 2004 the “Constantin Carabella” National College in Târgoviște, the mathematical-informatics profile. He attended the courses of the Faculty of Journalism and the communication sciences of the University of Bucharest, obtaining the bachelor's degree in the communication specialization in 2009, according to his CV published on the website of the Chamber of Deputies.
Later, in 2016, he also obtained the master's degree at the Faculty of Political Sciences, the specialization of anthropology, at SNSPA.
