High-ranking German diplomat Boris Ruge will become NATO’s deputy secretary general for political affairs and security policy, a spokesman for the military alliance said on Tuesday, German news agency DPA reported, citing Agerpres.

Ruge is to replace her colleague Bettina Kadenbach, who has held the post since 2019.

Boris Ruge, who is 61 years old, is currently the vice-president of the Munich Security Conference (MSC). He worked for NATO during the Kosovo War as a communications officer at headquarters in Brussels and as a political advisor to two NATO force commanders in Pristina.

Boris Ruge was also the head of the Middle East and North Africa department of the German Foreign Ministry, German ambassador to Saudi Arabia and deputy German ambassador to the USA.

In total, NATO now has eight deputy secretaries general. Ruge is expected to take up the post during NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s term until the end of this year.

From October 2023, Jens Stoltenberg will no longer be the Secretary General of NATO

NATO’s top diplomatic post will become vacant in October, with current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announcing he has no intention of renewing his contract. Jens Stoltenberg heads the Alliance since 2014.

SEE HERE what is the selection procedure for the future head of NATO, what are the criteria and who will be on the list: NATO is looking for its head – who are the currently known candidates

Mircea Joane’s mandate at the top of NATO has been extended: He will hold the post of Deputy Secretary General until October 2024

Meanwhile, Mircea Joane’s mandate as Deputy Secretary General of NATO has been extended for one more year, until October 2024, the head of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, announced on Friday.

“Mirce Joanne was an exceptional Deputy Secretary General of NATO and a great support for me personally at a critical moment for Euro-Atlantic security. His political skills, experience and grace under pressure continue to be a strong asset to our transatlantic Alliance. In recognition of his services, we have extended his mandate as Under-Secretary-General for one year, until mid-October 2024. I thank Mircea for his dedication and look forward to continuing our joint work,” said Jens Stoltenberg.

Mircea Joane was appointed Deputy Secretary General of NATO on October 16, 2019, becoming the 17th Deputy Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance.

Joanne’s mandate was extended in 2021 for two years, and now he has been given another year until October 2024.