Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania since 2012. Previously, he served as Minister of Justice (2012), Senator and Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Romanian Senate (2008-2012). He was also an Elected Member of the European Parliament (2007-2008), Observer member of the European Parliament (2005-2006) and a member of the Romanian Parliament (2004-2007). He held the positions of Personal Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister (2001-2003), and State Secretary, Department for Romanians Abroad (2003-2004). He holds a PhD in Law from the University of Bucharest.