UPDATE/Ambassador Maior: I told a truth; there is a political interest that I leave this office

Romania's Ambassador to the US George Maior argued that he told the truth regarding Rudolph Giuliani's letter which was send to the authorities in Bucharest and added that "there is a political interest so that he leaves this office."

"In respect to the statement that I made, of course I stick to it, it is consistent with the reality, it is in line with what the US Government basically said. I believe that I told a truth and I think I worked in the nation's interest. I don't understand how can someone say that I, somehow, interfered in the US politics, when we are talking about a private individual. I haven't seen the slightest gesture, attitude or statement of the US side confirming this thing. If there is a political interest for me to leave this office - and I see there is - it is determined by political reasons that should be explained. I cannot explain them, it has nothing to do with diplomacy or with the fact that I did my job in the Romanian national interest," Maior stated at Parliament, prior to be heard by the Committee overseeing the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) activity.

He mentioned that he hasn't talked this matter with President Klaus Iohannis, but only with Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu.

"I didn't have any discussion with Mr President, I talked yesterday [on Monday] with Mr Melescanu and I explained the arguments in detail, which I think represent a valid point of view, after all," Maior mentioned.

He refused to mention if Melescanu started the procedure of removing him from office.

George Maior came on Tuesday to Parliament in order to be heard in the Committee overseeing the SRI activity, hearings which are related to his activity as former Director of the intelligence service.

Rudolph Giuliani, Donald Trump's lawyer, former federal prosecutor and former mayor of New York, sent a letter to President Klaus Iohannis and other Romanian officials in late August asking for the verification of protocols concluded between the General Prosecutor's Office and the SRI, as well as for stopping the pressures on judges. AGERPRES (RO - author: Dana Piciu, editor: Mihai Simionescu; EN - author: Rodica State, editor: Adina Panaitescu)