Romania appoints top diplomat to handle EU presidency role

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's government has appointed a seasoned diplomat as the new government minister tasked with preparing the country to take over the European Union's rotating presidency on Jan. 1.

President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday swore in George Ciamba as European Affairs minister. The previous minister unexpectedly resigned last week.

On Monday Iohannis said the government was "totally unprepared" for assuming leadership of the EU, but he sounded more optimistic Wednesday saying that "preparations are going reasonably and I think we can still do it."

Following a critical report Tuesday, the European Commission called on Romania to immediately suspend the implementation of new judicial laws and appointments of prosecutors. The commission complained that the nation was moving backward on democratic reforms following years of progress.